‘Concerning’ lack of farmers’ optimisim

Just 48% of those who took part in a questionnaire carried out by the Ulster Farmers’ Union said that they felt optimistic.

Furthermore, 41% described themselves as “unhappy”, and 11% said they were “unsure” about the future.

The results have been described by UFU president Victor Chestnutt as “concerning”, prompting him to make calls for such issues within the dairy sector to be addressed.

The survey was conducted at the UFU stand at last year’s Winter Fair, and a total of 212 people responded to it.

It is described as a “robust study representing 8.33 percent of dairy farms in Northern Ireland.”

The milk price being paid by processors generated the most debate, with 77.73% of those interviewed saying that they were not happy with their milk price, and 72% in favour of constituent pricing.

Only 27 % knew how their dairy processor calculated the monthly base price they receive, and while the majority of farmers were happy with the milk testing service, 38.31% felt the service provided was either fair or poor.

“It is clear that a number of issues need to be addressed in the dairy sector, particularly the calculation of the base milk price that processors generate each month,” Victor Chestnutt commented.

“With the DEFRA consultation on milk contracts approaching, this is a timely opportunity to have this discussion.”

He added: “One of the most concerning results from the questionnaire is that whilst the majority of farmers were optimistic about the future of dairying, a significant number were unhappy or unsure. We must use the information we have gathered to help improve certain aspects within the diary sector, to ensure that every dairy farmer in Northern Ireland is receiving fair returns and can be confident about the future of their farming business.”