Bad weather, price cuts, and fodder shortages have all combined to shatter confidence among the farming community, according to the IFA.

FARMERS attending the IFA-hosted Dairy 2020 conference in Dublin last week welcomed the clarity and urgency of the Dairy Expansion Activation Group’s (DEAG) 55-point plan for dairy sector expansion.

MILK and dairy export growth will come from emerging economies in Asia and Africa rather than from saturated dairy markets like Europe or India, according to Glanbia chief executive John Moloney.

ACTIVE dairy farmers need to increase their share of co-op ownership from its current 30% level, plus invest in new on-farm facilities if the sector is to achieve its ambitious expansion plans, said IFA national dairy committee chairman Kevin Kiersey.