ICOS: Focus on price undermines dairy potential

Farmers risk undermining their industry by focusing on milk price performance rather than a longer-term strategy, warns ICOS president Martin Keane.

The co-op representative group also believes further co-op rationalisation will be needed if its 150,000 members are to maximise their profits in the post-quota era.

“Co-op consolidation will ensure Irish dairy farmers have a strong presence in global markets and will support better milk price returns,” Mr Keane told the AGM in Portlaoise, Co Laois.