ICMSA: Co-ops stretching farmer loyalty to limit

Farmers’ loyalty to their local co-ops is being severely tested by the widening gap between the best and worst prices offered for milk supplies, said ICMSA dairy chairman Ger Quain.

ICMSA’s analysis of comparative 2018 farm gate milk prices estimates a €12,000 annual difference for 350,000L suppliers to co-ops at the top and bottom of the milk price league. The analysis excludes a comparison of the various bonus payments being offered by the milk processors.