Tirlán Co-operative Society has confirmed that €4.5 million has been paid to milk suppliers who traded with the co-op in the early part of this year.

Tirlán said the payment recognises suppliers who traded with their co-op and met the dairy support package’s qualifying threshold.

A further payment run will take place before the end of 2026 for suppliers who reach the 5c/L qualifying threshold through their 2026 trading activity, Tirlán said.

Dairy support package

In December 2025, Tirlán announced a targeted €5.5 million 'dairy support package' to support milk suppliers during the early stages of the 2026 lactation.

The package was designed to: help manage on-farm costs, particularly feed and fertiliser; support strong cow performance, grass growth and milk solids output; and recognise and reward ongoing trade with the co-op.

Supports available between January 4 and May 2, 2026 included:

€40 per tonne rebate on GAIN dairy feed;
€60 per tonne rebate on calf milk replacer;
€10 per tonne rebate on Irish rolled cereals;
€3 per tonne rebate on straights.

In addition, a €20 per tonne fertiliser rebate applied to purchases ordered between December 1, 2025 and February 14, 2026.Milk suppliers who spent at least 5c/L with their co-op in 2025, or who achieve this level of spend by the end of 2026, are eligible for the support payments.

Payments were credited to trading accounts at the end of May for individuals who had already met the threshold, with a subsequent payment run planned for additional suppliers who reach the 5c/L threshold by year-end.Tirlán chairperson Ger O’Brien said that the co-op is "pleased to be in a position to recognise and reward those who trade with their own co-op".

"In addition, farmers who availed of the support package secured their fertiliser requirements early in a year where supply chains were disrupted," O'Brien said.