Farmers in Northern Ireland have been told to face a possible situation where milk could be scarcer than expected as winter approaches.
With one of the most difficult years in terms of weather continuing to take its toll on Northern Irish farmers, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) have called upon dairy traders to take heed of the warning signs coming out from industry sources as the winter months come closer.
Northern Ireland saw fierce flash flooding in August. A number of farmers lost livestock or suffered damage to farmland or properties. For example, tens of thousands of chickens were killed in the floods.
And a severe cold plunge in April affected crop production. Some growers experienced delayed outdoor fruit production.
For the looming winter months ahead, UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said many dairy farmers are readying themselves for a fodder shortage on the back of cows being housed early, depleted silage stocks and later cut silage with negligible nutrient content.
'Accurate reflection'
Mr Ferguson said the dairy industry could be facing a situation where milk could be scarcer than expected later in the year.
“To date, whilst milk production levels are on the rise after months of consecutive decline, they have not increased by the levels expected in the price cycle,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Consequently, we were puzzled to read in the dairy industry press that some traders are talking down the price of mild cheddar.
“There is no denying the fact that some dairy commodity products have been facing downward price pressure, however, as far as mild cheddar is concerned, the price is holding up due to limited stocks and lack of available product,” the UFU deputy president said.
With other commodity prices falling, the base price paid to local dairy farmers needs to be an "accurate reflection" of the product mix in Northern Ireland and cheddar cheese is a sizeable proponent of that basket, Mr Ferguson said.
“The reality is that the price of mild cheddar is sustainable at the current higher levels. With ready product not available until the New Year, we are calling for traders to stop talking down the price of mild cheddar as this is an unrealistic reflection of the market,’ he said.
