FARM FOCUS Issue 90 – March 2025
TB Support Programme for suppliers
Your Co-op continues to work to assist our suppliers and meet their needs. A new €5 million TB Support Programme was launched on 11 March to aid milk suppliers who are impacted by a serious outbreak in their herds. It followed discussions with Council in relation to supporting our suppliers at a difficult time as they cope with cashflow and all the various challenges such an outbreak brings. The programme is optional and offers an advance on future milk payments of €750 per cow to milk suppliers that lose over 5% of their herd to a TB outbreak. Contact your Milk Supply Manager for more information.
Nitrates Derogation Seán Molloy, CEO
Dear Suppliers, Longer days have finally arrived and are a very welcome reprieve. The weather this spring has certainly been more favourable. This has assisted in strong early milk supply volumes compared with the early months of 2024, which were extremely difficult for production on farm. We are expecting moderate gains in the region of 3% this year. Globally, milk supply from the key regions remains mixed.
Milk Solids
The retention of the Nitrates Derogation remains a high priority for Tirlán. We continue to advocate on your behalf at home and in Europe. Growing numbers of suppliers are engaging with our Farm Support Service team, arranging farm visits and availing of free and confidential advice and financial support through the Farming for Water EIP. It is a crucial year for the retention of the Nitrates Derogation and we are continuing to work with our suppliers and in collaboration with our partners to continue our work to protect and enhance water quality.
Our Awards
We were delighted to have the opportunity to recognise our growers at the recent Tirlán Quality Grain Awards. It was fantastic to see the level of commitment from our growers to delivering both quality and see the numbers focusing on growing premium value-add grains.
In addition to milk supply volumes, our key focus for the coming months is assisting suppliers to increase milk solids production in a sustainable manner. Our teams are seeing significant results from herds through the new Milk Solids Growth Programme. The team are providing tailored advice that is specific to individual herds around optimising grassland management, herd health and nutrition.
We are also looking forward to celebrating the achievements of dairy farmers who demonstrate excellent practices in milk quality, animal welfare, farm management and adopting sustainability practices at our first ever Dairy and Sustainability Awards at the end of April. It is important to recognise and drive awareness among consumers and the general public of the great work carried out by Tirlán farmers.
The positive reaction to the programme has seen a large number of suppliers now using the Milk Solids Tracker on the Tirlán FarmLife website. There is significant potential for individual farmers to improve their performance by utilising more quality grass and conserved forages in the diet, plus providing supplementary feeds at the correct time. We want to help our suppliers to get more from every litre of milk in a sustainable manner.
Outlook
Trading Bonus
Our Dairy Trading Bonus Scheme for 2025 was well-received, with good uptake of the €30 per tonne offer on dairy feed and €60 per tonne on Calf Milk Replacer currently available. In recent months, it was also confirmed Tirlán Co-op would pay out €5.9 million to 4,500 farmer shareholders as part of the 2024 Trading Bonus Scheme. Over €3.2 million, or €1,500 on average, was paid out with the January Milk Payment to 2,100 milk supplier Members who qualified for the Bonus.
There continues to be a is a high level of volatility in the markets at present. Your Co-op is closely monitoring the tariff uncertainty in the global marketplace. Overall, demand has been relatively stable in the early part of the year. We are out in the marketplace seeking to grow in new regions and win new customers to add value to the milk and grain that you supply. Please continue to farm safely through what is always a very busy period on farm.
Seán Molloy CEO, Tirlán
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 2
Markets Update
8
Spring SCC Control
3
Milk Solids Programme
9
Preparing for the upcoming breeding season
4
Quality Grain Awards
10
Effective youngstock worm control
7
Spring Grazing Update
11
Discover Your Local Tirlán CountryLife Garden Centre