A total of 1,100 Dairygold milk suppliers have participated in one-to-one nutrient balance consultations since December 2024, as part of Dairygold’s Grassroots Sustainability Programme.

The consultations, which began in late December, are organised by Dairygold and delivered by Teagasc’s sustainability advisors.

The individual consultations with Teagasc provide farmers with their current nitrogen and phosphorus balance figures and offer a tailored plan to enhance both economic and environmental sustainability on each individual farm.

The figures are delivered via AgNav, a platform developed by Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), which identifies the nutrient sources contributing to an individual farm’s nutrient balance.

The water quality status in nearby rivers or streams is also discussed at consultations using data from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maps to highlight areas of the farm that are susceptible to nitrogen leaching or phosphorus run-off.

Teagasc advisory programme development manager, Dr. George Ramsbottom said: “Farmers are finding these consultations beneficial because our AgNav app can calculate nutrient balance and greenhouse gas emissions, while the EPA maps pinpoint areas on individual farms that are a potential risk to water quality.

"Farmers take huge pride in their local area and these consultations give them tailored information to identify the practical steps that they can take to improve the environment on their own farms and in the surrounding areas.”

Dairygold head of member services and engagement, Billy Cronin said that feedback from the consultations has been "positive", and the goal is for the remaining participants in the Grassroots Programme to complete their training by the end of June.

Meanwhile, Dairygold also announced its quoted milk price for February, which has again remained unchanged at 50c/L.

This price is based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, including sustainability and quality bonuses, and VAT.