NI Farmers want milk solids pricing

Nearly three-quarters of respondents to a survey conducted by the UFU at the 2019 Winter Fair are in favour of a change to the system of milk pricing in NI towards one that is based on constituents rather than milk volume.

With most countries in Europe, including the Republic of Ireland, paying farmers on the basis of milk solids, the Union has been pushing for a debate on the issue over the last few years.

It was also raised with milk processors during a meeting with the UFU dairy committee last week, but continues to be met with a lukewarm response by some CEOs.

To take the issue forward, the UFU has suggested that AFBI should be brought in to conduct a study into how it might be done, and the longer-term implications for dairy production in NI.

Other responses

The UFU questionnaire at the Winter Fair also asked farmers for their opinion on the milk prices paid over the last 12 months. Unsurprisingly, given that prices were down in 2019, and costs up, nearly 78% out of the 212 farmers who completed the survey were not happy.

When it comes to the various adjustments and bonuses made each month, over 70% indicated that they did not fully understand how their price is worked out. On the milk-testing service, the majority were content, but over 38% felt the service was either fair or poor.

Just under half of those surveyed indicated that they were optimistic about the future of dairy production in NI.

Issues

Commenting, UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt said: “It is clear that a number of issues need to be addressed in the dairy sector, particularly the calculation of the base milk price that processors generate each month. With the DEFRA consultation on milk contracts approaching, this is a timely opportunity to have this discussion”.

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