Kieran Coughlan: Cashflow pinch is on its way
On-farm, care should be taken not to cut back on essential inputs in ways that undermine underlying profitability.
Farmers have not yet felt the full effects of tightening milk prices, as December milk cheques and Department of Agriculture payments received at the back end of the year are still buffering cash reserves going into 2026. For most dairy farmers, January milk supplies are minimal or non-existent, with income not resuming until the March milk cheque.
Many farmers may also opt to put milk into calves this spring, as there is likely to be a better return from converting milk into beef rather than selling calves at just two weeks of age. Where space and labour allow, at a cost of €3/day for milk, straw and concentrates, the uplift in calf value from two weeks to seven weeks can potentially add €250/calf in margin, which represents a meaningful income boost for the average herd.
