The rebate is designed to support farmers to build their grass and fodder stocks and to maximise milk volumes, to increase margin to year-end. Explaining the rationale for the offer, Dairygold technical adviser, Liam Stack, said: “The 2024 growing season has been very challenging, resulting in reduced grass growth rates, milk volumes and fodder reserves on farm. A dairy cow still has the potential to produce over €1,000 worth of milk revenue from here to year-end. The rebate is designed to help any Dairygold milk supplier, who wants to maximise milk production to year end and to assist them to have sufficient supplies of winter forage to do so.
“Our technical team has also developed a six-point action plan to help milk suppliers evaluate their winter forage situation and build grass and fodder stocks for the months ahead. The plan, including advice on milk production revenue, grass growth, feed and stocking rates has been sent to all Dairygold milk suppliers. Every farm situation will be unique, and I would encourage all milk suppliers to speak to their local area sales manager to develop a farm specific plan.”
This announcement follows two previous feed rebates offered by Dairygold in April and June this year. In addition, in April, Dairygold extended the period for which interest-free credit was available on the purchase of farm inputs and also introduced a competitive Fodder Stretcher and provided one-to-one advice on managing fodder supplies. The co-op also hosted seven fodder planning and wellbeing events for Members, across the region, throughout the month of April.