Tirlán Co-operative Allocates €4.5 Million in Dairy Support

Tirlán Co-operative Society confirmed that it has distributed €4.5 million to milk suppliers who traded with the cooperative earlier this year. This distribution is part of a broader €5.5 million dairy support package unveiled in December 2025 to assist suppliers during the early phases of the 2026 lactation.

The support package aims to help manage on-farm costs, with a particular focus on feed and fertilizer expenses, and to encourage strong cow performance, grass growth, and milk solids output. It also seeks to reward ongoing trade with the cooperative. Suppliers who have spent at least 5 cents per liter with Tirlán in 2025, or who achieve this threshold by the end of 2026, qualify for these payments.

Eligible suppliers received credits to their trading accounts at the end of May, with another payment planned for those reaching the 5c/L spend threshold by the end of 2026. The package includes rebates on various agricultural products, such as GAIN dairy feed, calf milk replacer, Irish rolled cereals, and straights, as well as a fertiliser rebate for purchases made between December 2025 and February 2026.

Ger O’Brien, Tirlán's chairperson, expressed satisfaction with the cooperative's ability to recognize and reward its trading partners. He highlighted that farmers who utilized the support package were able to secure their fertiliser needs early, amid disruptions in supply chains.

The cooperative has planned another payment run before the end of 2026 for those who meet the spending criteria through their trading activities that year.