Dairy farmers end year on high note as milk prices set to remain strong

The year is ending on a positive note for the country’s dairy farmers with predictions that milk prices are likely to remain strong — at least for the first six months of 2014.

Newly elected IFA National Dairy Committee chairman, Sean O’Leary, said the bounce in dairy market prices is evident from the most recent Fonterra auction, the latest spot quotes and average EU prices published by the European Commission — all positive indicators.

He said this should make it easier for co-ops to make early and solid commitments for milk prices — at least at current level well — into 2014.