Farmers urge co-ops to hold price

Farmers are facing serious cashflow and financial issues next spring, according to their leaders and the co-ops. IFA dairy committee chairman Sean O’Leary said it has decided to actively lobby co-op board members to hold the October milk price, and build upon the constructive relationship created during the year.

He said poor prices are being masked by big volumes and strong constituents. But even with unchanged prices, the cash- flow situation will worsen dramatically next spring because of higher costs and lower butterfat and protein.

Mr O’Leary said farmers have taken a huge milk price hit of 13c/l in 18 months. This 33% fall is equivalent to a decimation of the margin, a 93% fall.