Dale Farm members visiting this year’s Balmoral Show will be told that there is a sustainable future for dairy in Northern Ireland, one that will include a further increase in milk volumes.

The co-op’s group chief executive, Nick Whelan said: “Obviously farmers coming to [the] show will be very focused on the cost pressures impacting on their businesses at the present time.

“From a day-to-day farming perspective, it should be business as usual. We are encouraging farmers to buy the feed and fertiliser they need, as would normally be the case.”

Milk production volumes have remained static, year-on-year, in Northern Ireland. This contrasts with a 4% fall off in Great Britain output in March.

“Milk volumes have also reduced quite significantly across the rest of Europe. Dairy is a supply/demand-driven industry. So it is the reduced level of supplies that is driving the ongoing increases in farmgate prices," Whelan explained.

The Dale Farm CEO admitted to being somewhat surprised at the significant price fall registered at the most recent Global Dairy Event (GDT).

“This had a lot to do with markets developments in Asia and the Middle East,” he confirmed.

“In contrast, the prospects for European dairy markets remain strong over the coming months. Dale Farm is currently supplying customers in 31 countries across Europe, including GB.

But shaping the long-term future of Dale Farmwill be the key issue under discussion at this year’s Balmoral Show.

“And we want to involve our members fully in this discussion,” stressed Whelan.

“Delivering sustainability is an absolute priority for dairy in Northern Ireland over the coming years," Whelan continued.

“Science is already delivering in terms of improved farm management systems and better genetics. All of this can be built on in a very effective manner.”

Whelan foresees a future within which all Dale Farm milk suppliers will be carbon footprinting their businesses, as a matter of routine.

“It will not be a case of making such a measure mandatory immediately. Rather, our members will have the opportunity to evolve their management at the right pace," he explained.

“But sustainability is an issue that must be actively addressed in the here and now. The Dale Farm board and management team are very eager to kick start this process.

Whelan explained that delivering on sustainability represents a win-win scenario for dairy farmers. He said that in the first instance, it means that they can look forward to an economically viable future.

“But improved sustainability also facilitates the expectation of producers expanding their milk output, which would be a good news story for the economy as a whole," he concluded.