Tirlán’s milk pool to be back by up to 5pc in 2024
Tirlán expects its milk pool to be reduced due to the weather
Tirlán’s milk pool is expected to be back by 3-5pc this year due to the impact of weather conditions.
The co-op’s milk pool previously fell by 3pc (3.1bn litres) in 2023.
However, according to its census of suppliers last year, there is a “positive intent” among them, with cow numbers holding firm.
“While the mood of farmers has been very low in the current year due to regulation and weather, beneath all of that, there is a positive intent that can be seen from the census,” said Tirlán’s outgoing CEO Jim Bergin.
“The weather has been a huge factor... so we do expect milk volumes to be reduced in the current year. It depends on the weather from here on it, but 3-5pc.”
He said dairy farmers have adjusted “very well” to the Nitrates Derogation reduction, with cow numbers holding steady.
“They have adjusted in different ways... purchasing land or entering into leases and they are very expensive for farmers. For that reason, it’s not a great outcome for them economically in the short-term, but they have adjusted.”
He said Tirlán’s Slaney Project proves the level of farming that can be had in a region while also improving water quality.
“On the basis we do that over the next 18 months, then we should be going to Europe with a level of confidence [to retain the Derogation],” he said.
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“We all talk about losing the Derogation, but there is a long way between 220kg and 170kg.
“We should argue that we have had an adjustment — give Ireland the time to adapt to that adjustment and prove it can farm at 220kg before it would look at removing the Derogation completely.”
He said there are a number of extenuating circumstances — it is the number one domestic industry in Ireland, while the density of animals is very low compared to other countries.
“So we shouldn’t be compared to those countries that have either given up or lost their Derogation.
“We should be seen as an extensive farming country, in which it is the number one industry. I don’t think [that message] is being related adequately to Europe at the moment. That’s being hard on our representatives.
“We should be going to Europe, saying we are delivering, we have upped the intensity of addressing water quality. Teagasc has assessed the level of farming we can have and the intensity... which would improve water quality and improve the economics of our farming.
“That is the Irish case. I haven’t seen that in a concise fashion at a level that could hopefully win that argument in Europe.
“To be fair, the Government had a strategy and that was expansion by 50pc and in the latter stages... the transition to the balance with nature is a relatively recent phenomenon.
“We’re all evolving — the industry, our farmers, our Government, our MEPs. It’s not about blame, it’s about that evolution and the challenge now to hold on to the Derogation.”
Incoming CEO Sean Molloy said he is confident “we are doing the work now that will give us the very best chance of ensuring that it stays”.
