Cuts in Milk Price Not Sustainable

IFA National Dairy Committee Chair Stephen Arthur is warning milk processors that dairy farmers cannot sustain any more cuts to milk price.  

“Farmers have endured milk price cuts in excess of 10cpl since January which equates to an income reduction of €50,000 for the average supplier,” Stephen Arthur said.

“Many processors will remove early calving bonuses in March so farmers will endure a cut in income before any changes to base price are made,” he added.

Met Eireann have reported that this past March was the wettest March on record while the start of April has seen absolutely no let up.

“Dairy farmers are near breaking point now. Cows are housed throughout the country resulting in big drops in milk supplies while feed and fertiliser prices remain at record levels. All of this means that the overall cost of production has soared for 2023. We know a lot of boards will be deciding milk prices this week, board members must listen to the concern of their suppliers and have to sustain milk prices at current levels,” the IFA National Dairy Committee Chair said.