NI suppliers call for Lakeland and Dale Farm to follow Glanbia in solids-based pricing

Written by Rachel Martin

A group of northern dairy farmers have called for their processors to follow suit with Glanbia, which this week announced it would move to constituent-based pricing by 2024.

The letter, which is addressed to the board members of Dale Farm and Lakeland, said the members of the Ardglass Dairy Discussion Group had taken “great encouragement” from the news that Glanbia Milk have set out a transition period to further incentivise the production of high-quality milk.

Also Read: Glanbia to move northern suppliers to solids-based pricing by 2024
“NI lags well behind most European countries because we are incentivised to increase yield rather than milk solids,” it read.

“The mobilisation of water in cows uses a lot of energy, which is even more wasteful when producing lower quality milk.

Most of our milk is dried and processed for export and, due to its lower quality, the result is poor energy efficiency for processors and increased costs, which must come off the milk price paid to producers.

“The environmental challenges facing our industry in the future are clear, farmers and processors must work together to overcome them, incentivising higher milk solids from all NI dairy cows will go a long way to improving our carbon footprint.

“Our group members are currently suppliers of Lakeland and Dale Farm and we put this question to our board members, when will you stop dragging your heels and follow the lead of Glanbia Milk?

“Better incentives for milk quality is the first step – full milk solids payment should be the end goal.”

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