Dairygold milk supply manager given new farm succession role
Dairygold has appointed its existing milk supply manager Paul O'Connell to a new expanded role titled milk supply and farm succession manager.
In the expanded role, O'Connell will take on responsibility for developing programmes and strategies to address the succession challenge and to protect, maintain and grow the Dairygold milk pool, the processor said.
Dairygold said that O'Connell has "a wealth of experience", having worked for Dairygold for over 37 years.
He has served as milk supply manager since 2012.
The processor said that adding the farm succession responsibilities to the milk supply manager role "acknowledges the growing importance of engaging with farmers to keep land in dairy".
The business also said the move was one of the "key actions" of the milk supplier census action plan which the processor undertook to implement.
Commenting on the appointment of O'Connell to his expanded role, Dairygold chief executive Michael Harte said: "Our milk pool is an extremely valuable asset and Dairygold will be proactive in preserving it.
"The expanded role is an important step in achieving that and we're delighted to have someone with Paul's experience to lead this.
"His knowledge of the business and strong relationships across our milk supplier base will see him play a critical role in building a resilient milk pool to futureproof the business," Harte added.
Earlier this month, Dairygold announced its milk price to suppliers for April, confirming that it is maintaining its price announced last month for March supplies.
The co-op's board has maintained its April quoted milk price at 50c/L, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, inclusive of sustainability and quality payments, and VAT.
According to Dairygold, the April milk price equates to an average April farmgate milk price of 54.6c/L, based on average April 2025 milk solids achieved by Dairygold milk suppliers.
A Dairygold spokesperson commented: “Global milk production continues to be relatively steady, but buyers remain cautious amid the threat of tariffs.
“Despite the ongoing and significant geopolitical challenges, dairy markets have been reasonably stable. Butter prices have maintained their strong price levels, although other dairy products have been less robust,” the spokesperson added.
