Tirlán announces €30m weather support package for farmers

Tirlán Co-operative has announced a €30 million support package to assist milk suppliers who are experiencing significant challenges due to the prolonged period of above average rainfall.

Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said that the co-op is acutely aware of the challenges being experienced by our farmers at present. “The exceptional rainfall affecting farmers in our catchment area is causing significant physical, financial and mental stress. A key role of a farm-family owned co-op is to support Members when challenges arise. The Board believes that it is appropriate for the Co-op to now utilise some of our resources to support our Members.”

Tubber's Seán Molloy, Tirlán Chief Executive Designate, said co-op staff are available to provide support to farmers and that a second technical webinar will be held after a very well-attended event on 27 March. “We are also very conscious of the challenges faced by tillage farmers and are exploring options for support as the situation evolves.”

The key elements of the Support package from Tirlán Co-op are as follows - A 3 cpl weather payment on all March milk volumes in recognition of the exceptionally challenging weather, which saw rainfall for the month at generally twice the long term average. This payment will also be made on March milk volumes in the Liquid Milk, Autumn Calving and Fixed Milk Price Schemes and an extension of the current €30 per tonne Weather Support Payment on GAIN dairy feed until April 27. This support to milk suppliers was first introduced on 15 March and was due to lapse on 13 April.

In addition, there is an increase in the proportion of milk payment made as an early interim payment from 50% to 60% for April milk paid in May to boost cashflow and an extension of the Fertilizer Credit Scheme to the end of May. This offer of interest-free credit on fertilizer purchases normally ends in March.

There will also be the establishment of a Tirlán Advance Payment Scheme, which will offer cashflow support to milk suppliers. The Advance Payment Scheme is a voluntary scheme offering milk suppliers an advance on future milk payments of 5 cent per litre (cpl) (based on March milk volumes).

The Advance Payment, which will be made to the trading accounts of participating milk suppliers, will offer approximately €3,000 of interest-free cashflow support to an average milk supplier and will be set off against actual milk payments due over the peak months of May, June and July of 2025.

IFA President Francie Gorman acknowledged the intervention by Tírlan on Monday, after the co-op announced it would pay a 3c/l weather top-up on March milk, along with other support payments.

The IFA President met with Tírlan this afternoon, where the IFA delegation was briefed on the details of the package.

“This is the kind of solidarity that farmers need as they grapple with the dreadful weather conditions. Apart from the milk price top-up, there are other measures to help provide feed at a reduced price, and improve cashflow for farmers,” he said.

Francie Gorman said other co-ops and processors should follow the example set by Tírlan and introduce a similar set of measures that will assist farmers through what is a very difficult period.

“IFA had suggested the top-up to the March milk price and it is good to see this forthcoming from Tírlan,” he said.

The National Fodder and Food Security Committee will convene again later this week. Teagasc has established a fodder register to identify any parts of the country that may be running low on stocks.