Dairy farmers, food producers, consumers and all stakeholders in Ireland's 2030 climate action goals will gain from the insights gathered in Dairyland, a 32-page special report created by the Irish Examiner in partnership with the ICMSA.
Dairyland is a comprehensive publication that brings together the views of leading dairy farmers and food producers along with respected agri-food analysts, economists and academic researchers.
Dairy farmers are facing into a very difficult 2024 — unless actions are taken to tackle the downward milk price and soaring input costs. Farmers are also calling on the EU Commission its decision on the Nitrates Directive, an action which is forcing Irish farmers to reduce their nitrates spreading from 250kg/ha down to 220kg/ha in a move that is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Irish farmers.
Pat McCormack, president of the ICMSA, says the optimism that was evident in dairy just 12 months ago has been severely eroded by these mounting pressures. In Dairyland, we gather the views of those within Irish dairy farming along with the views of people not directly impacted by the changes currently taking place in the sector.
We hear how some dairy farmers have diversified, expanding their dairy farms into dairy businesses with consumer products that are achieving domestic and overseas success. Determined to make their farms viable for future generations of their family, some capitalised on the greater profit margins achievable in business in comparison to farming.
Our industry contributors and analysts also look at projections for national and global milk prices, guidance on risk management for dairy farmers, insights on investment in on-farm renewable energy and the empowerment of women in Irish dairy as the sector looks at succession, sustainability and many other current factors influencing future choices for what has always been Ireland's single most valuable agri-food sector.
To read these stories, click here: DAIRYLAND