Supply of milk threatened by cost hikes
Print16 November 2012
A steep increase in production costs could threaten the availability of fresh drinking milk over the winter months, according to the National Milk Agency (NMA), the statutory body that regulates Ireland’s milk supply for liquid consumption.
The agency has said it wants to make all parties with an interest in the country’s fresh milk sector, including consumers, retailers and processors, aware of the exceptional additional production costs facing specialist producers.
The NMA is concerned that some specialist milk producers may, due to the impact of 2012 feed cost increases, decide to cease producing milk in the winter period and thereby reduce the future availability of all-year-round domestic supplies of milk for liquid consumption.
It is feared that the higher costs involved could make winter milk production unviable and unsustainable.
Teagasc liquid milk specialist Joe Patton was commissioned by the NMA to write a report on the increased costs.
He said specialist producers of milk for liquid consumption on the domestic market will incur additional feed costs in excess of 4% per litre from October 2012 to February 2013.
Due to the wet summer this year, the volume and quality of on-farm forage production was hindered, leading to a greater need for supplementary protein feeds. Worryingly, the prices of such feeds have risen significantly since 2011. The country’s 1,900 specialist winter milk producers are believed to have been particularly affected by the extra costs incurred.
Related Articles
Seanad to consider ban on bookmakers accepting bets on National Lottery →
Lidl sets net zero commitment by 2050 with new climate targets →
Hidden Hearth – Ireland’s alcohol-free festival returns this October →
Fans 0
Followers