Feed rebates are currently being offered by various milk processors across the country to their milk suppliers.
These processors and co-ops are engaging with farmers in response to additional feed costs due to the ongoing wet weather conditions.
Dairygold confirmed to Agriland that it is offering a feed discount of €20/t on dairy feeds to its milk suppliers.
This offer will apply to deliveries from Monday, March 25 to Friday, April 5. This offer was communicated to Dairygold members earlier this week.
The west Cork co-op, Drinagh has offered feed rebates to dairy, beef, and sheep feeds, so all ruminant feed customers are set to benefit from the rebate.
In a statement, the co-op announced: “In view of the challenging weather conditions this spring, the board of Drinagh has announced a rebate on feed purchases from January 1 to March 31, 2024”.
A rebate of €15/t of compounded ruminant feed was approved and a rebate of €10 on special mixes and €2.50 on straights will also be applied.
The feed rebate will be credited to the relevant accounts in April.
Drinagh Co-op confirmed to Agriland that “no discussion has taken place about extending the March 31 deadline”.
Feed rebates to milk suppliers
Lakeland Dairies initially ran a €20/£20/t rebate on all Lakeland Dairies dairy feed purchased by milk suppliers from November 2023 to February 2024.
However, Lakeland Dairies confirmed to Agriland this was extended to March given “the adverse weather conditions”.
Lakeland Dairies continues to closely monitor the ongoing weather challenges and it stated the feed rebate will “remain open on an ongoing basis”.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that a €30/t dairy feed rebate to Tirlán milk suppliers has been extended by one week.
A €30/t GAIN dairy feed rebate is available on all GAIN dairy feed delivered to Tirlán milk suppliers between March 15-30, 2024.
However, a Tirlán spokesperson has confirmed to Agriland that this offer is extended to Saturday, April 6.
The support is targeted to the processor’s milk suppliers following the challenging weather.
Therefore, the rebate will apply for the period from March 15 to April 6, 2024 on all GAIN dairy feed delivered during this time.
A number of terms apply to the price reduction:
- The offer applies to tonnes of GAIN dairy feed delivered from March 15 to April 6;
- A supplier will receive the €30/t rebate on all GAIN dairy feed delivered;
- A reasonable usage limit on the promotion tonnes will apply for each customer;
- Further terms and conditions will apply.
The offer is being introduced to help support milk suppliers through early lactation to achieve peak production and assist following the difficult weather period.
Ailish Byrne, director of agri-business in Tirlán, said: “As a farmer-owned cooperative, we are working to support our members who have been impacted by difficult weather conditions on farm this spring.
“This support is designed to assist our suppliers at a critical point of lactation as we move towards peak production and in the run up to the breeding season.
“These actions are also designed to maintain milk solids at this important time by making enhanced animal nutrition more affordable.”
Tirlán milk suppliers are encouraged to place their orders now through their local Tirlán FarmLife branch, business manager, or order online via the Tirlán FarmLife homepage.