“ONLY those in strong competitive positions, driven by innovation, who have their vision sharply focused on customer delivery, will survive and prosper,” said Dairygold Chairman John Walsh at the current round of meetings with shareholders around Munster.

A decision by Dairygold to increase the price it pays its farmer suppliers for milk was described by the IFA yesterday as evidence of what could be done by co-ops who seriously address their inefficiencies.

Marts: Proposals for the merging of the entities of three Midland co-operative livestock marts in a new regional mart society have reached an advanced stage, as the livestock sales sector gears up to meet the challenges of the future.