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

Superlevy fines estimated at up to €10m are looking likely for Ireland, despite Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands also struggling to stay within their milk quotas.

THE French rule that superlevy kicks in immediately for over-quota dairy farmers — whether or not their co-op or the country is over quota — will ensure that France stays within quota, says Catherine Lascurettes, executive secretary of the IFA national dairy and liquid milk committees.

NORTH Cork dairy farmers are broadly happy that they can meet the calving and production guidelines in Dairygold’s new milk pricing system, it emerged at an IFA-hosted meeting in Mallow last night.

THE IFA claims Glanbia and Kerry undershot the 3c/l milk price increase it feels was due for February.

FARM groups in the North and in the Republic have met to examine aspects of Europe’s new dairy package which could mitigate against net exporters like Ireland.