Dairy farmers call for co-op milk price hike

DAIRY farmers have called on co-ops to follow the example of Lakeland Dairies which has increased its December milk price by 0.5 cents per litre.

ICMSA Dairy Committee chairman Pat McCormack said to reflect the improved market for dairy products, the Irish Dairy Board and all co-ops must raise their milk price.

Meanwhile, Bord Bia sources say the US Department of Agriculture expects increased milk output by some key dairy exporters in 2011, but this will be offset by increasing demand for milk powder, and declining buffer stocks of butter and milk powder in the EU and the US.