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Agriland
a day ago
- Business
- Agriland
Milk Price Tracker: Majority of co-ops hold price for April supplies
The latest Milk Price Tracker – brought to you by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) – details milk prices from the most significant Irish dairy co-ops for the month of March. The co-ops within the Milk Price Tracker are ranked from highest to lowest price for base milk price only. It is important to note that the cent-per-litre (c/L) milk prices shown in the table below are calculated using the widely accepted milk pricing system. The conversion factor used is 1.03, which means that 1L of milk corresponds to 1.03kg of milk. It is Agriland and ICMSA policy not to include support payments, bonuses, or additional payments in the calculation of the base milk price. Milk Price Tracker The majority of co-operatives have decided to hold their milk price for April supplies after many had dropped the price for March supplies. Peak milk production came earlier than usual on many farms this year thanks to high grass growth rates at end of the month of April, so this would have proved to be a big month of milk delivered for many farmers across the country. The general consensus among cooperatives at the moment is that dairy markets have been reasonably stable with global milk production continuing to remain steady despite geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over economical performance worldwide. The west Cork co-ops still lead the milk price tracker as its price was maintained from last month with Lisavaird leading the way with a base milk price of 50.33c/L. All cooperatives held their price for April except for two as Kerry Dairy Ireland and Arrabawn/Tipperary cooperatives dropped their base milk price by 1c/L. The milk prices in the table are those quoted by co-ops for the month of April in 2025. This means that Arrabawn/Tipperary sit bottom of the milk price tracker with a base price of 48.22c/L and this is the third consecutive month that Kerry Dairy Ireland have dropped their price. April bonuses and penalties Further details of bonuses and penalties for the Milk Price Tracker can be found by clicking here. With regard to the latest Milk Price Tracker for March the following explanatory notes (all bonus and penalty payments are based on manufacturing milk) apply. Unconditional bonuses North Cork pays a milk supplementary payment of 1.47c/L (excl. VAT) on April supplies. Conditional bonuses Arrabawn/Tipperary pays a 0.4c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with a somatic cell count (SCC) less than 200,000 cells/ml; pays a 0.4c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with a somatic cell count (SCC) less than 200,000 cells/ml; Arrabawn/Tipperary pays a 0.712/L (excl. VAT) sustainability bonus; pays a 0.712/L (excl. VAT) sustainability bonus; Aurivo is paying a 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) future milk sustainability bonus; is paying a 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) future milk sustainability bonus; Aurivo has a milk storage bonus which is available to suppliers with a minimum annual supply of 160,000L that have enough refrigerated storage capacity to cover seven milkings at peak production. The storage bonus of 0.44c/L was taken from the 'C' from September 2021. 'C' is 3.813; has a milk storage bonus which is available to suppliers with a minimum annual supply of 160,000L that have enough refrigerated storage capacity to cover seven milkings at peak production. The storage bonus of 0.44c/L was taken from the 'C' from September 2021. 'C' is 3.813; Aurivo has a 0.21c/L (excl. VAT) protein bonus available for every 0.05% protein achieved, above the co-op average protein %, in an individual month; has a 0.21c/L (excl. VAT) protein bonus available for every 0.05% protein achieved, above the co-op average protein %, in an individual month; Carbery Group pays a bonus of 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) from March to October and a 0.88c/L (excl. VAT) bonus from November to February to suppliers who achieve an SCC of less than 200,000 cells/ml; pays a bonus of 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) from March to October and a 0.88c/L (excl. VAT) bonus from November to February to suppliers who achieve an SCC of less than 200,000 cells/ml; In September 2022, Carbery began to pay a sustainability bonus of 0.5c/L to farmers who have committed to Carbery's futureproof programme. This is 1.25c/L for 2025 and is paid on all milk supplied by farmers who have signed a sustainability pledge and complete three actions. This is paid in January each year; began to pay a sustainability bonus of 0.5c/L to farmers who have committed to Carbery's futureproof programme. This is 1.25c/L for 2025 and is paid on all milk supplied by farmers who have signed a sustainability pledge and complete three actions. This is paid in January each year; Dairygold has a maximum bonus attainable by farmers who achieve the minimum requirements for six criteria (total bacteria count (TBC); thermoduric; sediment; SCC; lactose and inhibitors). This cumulatively amounts to 0.4c/L (excl. VAT); has a maximum bonus attainable by farmers who achieve the minimum requirements for six criteria (total bacteria count (TBC); thermoduric; sediment; SCC; lactose and inhibitors). This cumulatively amounts to 0.4c/L (excl. VAT); Dairygold has a 1.06c/L grassroots sustainability bonus payment for water quality, protected urea, soil health, education, milk recording, herd health and Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS); has a 1.06c/L grassroots sustainability bonus payment for water quality, protected urea, soil health, education, milk recording, herd health and Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS); Kerry Dairy Ireland is paying a sustainability bonus of 1.35c/L (excl. VAT) for a range of measures. This payment was introduced in January 2025. This includes the 0.4c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC less than 200,000 cells/ml and 0.1c/L (excl. VAT) for SDAS; is paying a sustainability bonus of 1.35c/L (excl. VAT) for a range of measures. This payment was introduced in January 2025. This includes the 0.4c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC less than 200,000 cells/ml and 0.1c/L (excl. VAT) for SDAS; Lakeland is paying a 0.47c/L (excl. VAT) milk sustainability bonus; is paying a 0.47c/L (excl. VAT) milk sustainability bonus; North Cork pays a 0.2c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC of less than 200,000 cells/ml; pays a 0.2c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC of less than 200,000 cells/ml; North Cork pays a 0.135c/L (excl. VAT) bonus if four milk recordings are carried out in the year. It will be paid the following January; pays a 0.135c/L (excl. VAT) bonus if four milk recordings are carried out in the year. It will be paid the following January; Strathroy pays a 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC of less than 200,000 cells/ml; pays a 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC of less than 200,000 cells/ml; Strathroy also pays a 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with a TBC of less than 10,000 cells/ml; also pays a 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with a TBC of less than 10,000 cells/ml; Strathroy pays a 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) sustainability bonus, this was introduced in January 2024; pays a 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) sustainability bonus, this was introduced in January 2024; Tirlán is paying a sustainability action payment of 0.47c/L (excl. VAT) for March.
Agriland
3 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
Minister's TB proposals need to be ‘balanced and fair'
Ongoing discussions that aim to reset the country's TB programme must result in an 'action plan' that establishes 'the requirements' on each stakeholder from farmers right through to other players in the livestock industry, according to one farm organisation. The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association's (ICMSA), Dennis Drennan, said today (Wednesday, May 28) this stakeholder group should also include vets and key departments and agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). According to the department TB disease levels in recent years have increased significantly. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. Earlier this month DAFM presented an initial set of around 30 proposals to farm organisations and other stakeholders at an extraordinary 'summit' hosted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon. This was followed up with a series of bilateral meetings between the minister and farm organisations and other stakeholders where a revised set of proposals were put forward. TB According to Drennan an action plan on TB could be formulated that is 'perfectly attainable and could be agreed and implemented in a way that treated everyone with respect and fairness'. But the ICMSA president has also warned that farmers have 'very legitimate concerns' around the proposals put forward by DAFM and the minister. 'ICMSA's major concern relates to very significant requirements being placed on farmers, some of which may have serious farming and financial implications, without any corresponding requirements being placed any of the other players. 'ICMSA can't accept this singling out of farmers when it's obvious that if TB is to be dealt with, we all need clear distinct targets, procedures, and timeframes in place, certainly in relation to the role of wildlife in relation to TB spread,' Drennan added. He has also stressed that the ICMSA believe an animal should 'only be allowed to move twice following a TB test with a further TB test required if further movements take place'. He said that with the average animal moving 1.3 times in their lifetime, such a proposal would not be a major burden on farmers. Drennan also emphasised today the ICMSA is fully supportive of 'significant and meaningful actions' that will halt and then reverse the latest surge TB. 'We've always indicated that we're on board for a serious response that's going to get TB levels moving in the right direction. 'But that's going to mean that everyone involved in the movement, trade and sale of cattle plays their part as well and that must mean the finishing units, the dealers and the marts too. 'The proposals so far suggest more regulations on the farmers while everyone else carries on their sweet and unbothered way. It's not fair and it won't work,' he added.
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
ICMSA president calls for ‘solidarity' among European dairy farmers
A call for 'solidarity' among European dairy farmers has been issued by the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, who is also on the executive committee of the European Milk Board (EMB). According to Denis Drennan farmers across Europe are facing the same challenges from increasing production costs, to tightening environmental regulations, and volatile milk prices regardless of where they farm. Drennan said extreme weather conditions during 2025, such as Storm Eowyn, highlight how 'vulnerable farmers are to factors beyond their control'. 'Difficulties in Ireland are not isolated. Whether in France, Germany, Lithuania or Spain farmers are facing rising production costs, fluctuating farm-gate prices, and a policy environment that often demands more while offering little in terms of fair market structures. 'In many regions, it is becoming increasingly clear that the survival of family farms – the backbone of our European agricultural model – is under severe threat,' Drennan added. Dairy farmers According to the ICMSA president this underlines why dairy farmers in Europe should show 'solidarity' to each other and why co-ordinated action at European level is 'essential'. He has highlighted the work of the EMB on promoting a 'comprehensive approach to sustainability' which encompasses 'economic, social and environmental pillars' to secure the future of dairy farming in Europe. According to Drennan dairy farmers need 'fair prices that cover production costs and proper market regulation that actively deals with destructive volatility and corporate margin-grabbing'. 'We desperately require political recognition of the strategic importance of family farms that must be placed at the centre of European agricultural policy. 'Recent examples, such as the successful implementation of voluntary production reduction schemes and national legislation prohibiting the purchase of foodstuffs below production cost, show that positive change is possible when the right instruments are employed. He believes that it does not matter whether it is a dairy farmer in the likes of Ireland, Denmark, Portugal or Poland – the fact remains that they need the same supports and measures in place to strengthen the economic foundation of dairy farming. According to Drennan this is 'a fair income, market transparency, and a viable future for the next generations of dairy farmers'.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Heydon says EU's latest efforts to cut red tape of ‘limited benefit' to Irish farmers
Speaking at a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels, he said that while the proposals address some concerns raised by Ireland and member states, their impact on Irish family farms may be marginal. He welcomed some changes, particularly to the performance clearance and amendment processes used by governments, which he said 'should go some way to ease the administrative burden for member states in relation to conditionality'. However, Mr Heydon expressed doubt over the relevance of some elements of the package for Irish farmers. 'A first impression of these proposals may be of limited direct benefit to Irish farmers,' he said. 'Our family farm structure means that while we have very few very large farms, we equally do not have a large number of very small farms. So the initiatives related to the small farmer scheme are of little benefit to Ireland. 'We need to ensure that the end result delivers some real reduction in the administrative burden for farmers and for member states.' In a later discussion on the EU's deforestation regulation (EUDR), which is due to come into effect next year, Mr Heydon said: 'There remains the potential for significant administrative burden… on primary producers in the beef and our dairy sectors.' He urged the Commission to explore simplified implementation approaches and supported calls to delay enforcement. 'Ireland therefore supports the calls for a further delay in implementation to allow time to address these issues.' ICMSA president Denis Drennan described the Commission's simplification proposals as 'unconvincing' and said the overall 'regulatory tide' shows no sign of easing. 'There's no real confidence in the Commission on this drive for simplification. We've seen and heard it all before and so far from the issues being simplified, they become steadily more cumbersome and complex year-on-year,' said Mr Drennan, who specified the EU Deforestation Regulations as a perfect example of 'talking' about simplification, while 'acting' to make things more complex. IFA president Francie Gorman highlighted last week that this is now the second corrective package on the CAP within a year. 'This fact should serve as a lesson for the future and shape our discussions. Farmers need policies that are coherent, consistent, meaningful and implementable, with greater farmer input throughout, but particularly in design stage,' he said. However, he warned that future simplification efforts must not undermine the common nature of the CAP or open the door to uncontrolled renationalisation. 'That would mark the end of CAP as we know it,' he said.
Agriland
22-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
ICMSA claims commission's Dublin briefing on Mercosur was ‘worse than useless'
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has strong criticised the outcome of a briefing to Irish farmers by the European Commission, held in Dublin, on the Mercosur trade deal describing it as 'worse than useless'. The president of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, said that 'whether deliberately or inadvertently' commission officials had not allowed adequate time to deal with the questions posed by ICMSA and others. He said farmer representatives had travelled to Dublin 'without the opportunity to even ask the vital questions- much less receive a detailed answer'. Drennan said: 'Farmers are the most sector within the EU that will be most impacted by Mercosur and because farming and agri generally play such a disproportionate role in Irish life there's a good argument for saying that Irish farmers would be the single most affected sector in the EU by the disaster that will be Mercosur. 'That being the case, we would have thought that the very least we are entitled to is sufficient time to ask and have answered the serious questions that the importance of the meeting absolutely merited'. European Commission representatives have not commented on the ICMSA's criticism. ICMSA According to the ICMSA president farmers received an 'unsatisfactory presentation that was over with without any opportunity to ask even the most basic questions that Irish farmers demand are answered' in relation to the briefing from European Commission representatives. The ICMSA has compiled a list of questions which it believes remained to be answered in relation to the Mercosur deal. Drennan said these include: How can the EU Commission guarantee that an animal did not get growth promoters? What are the sanctions for a country if growth promoters found? Does the EU Commission accept that the 'cattle traceability system in Mercosur countries is inferior' and how will it ensure that beef from only approved cattle will enter the EU food chain? How many staff will the EU Commission have at meat plants/on the ground to ensure the agreement is implemented correctly? In the EUDR, the EU Commission have implemented a complex system for EU farmers to comply with, will the same rules apply to Mercusor farmers and how will the EU Commission verify their data? If a steak arrives in the EU, how will the EU Commission know that it did not come from deforested areas? What are the labelling requirements for Mercosur beef and how will a consumer know if they are consuming it? The proposed €1 billion compensation fund – what is the funding source, is it from CAP or is it additional funding and how will it be triggered and how will the funding be distributed? The ICMSA president also said that European Commission officials should be in a position to answer questions on these issues and said that it believes the outcome of the Dublin briefing 'only serve to compound and increase farmer anxieties'.
