Tirlán hosts Farmer Information Sessions across the region

Tirlán teams from across the business have been engaging with farmer suppliers over recent weeks as the annual Farmer Information Sessions got underway in seven locations across the catchment area, with significant numbers also registering for an online event.

The mood was positive and chairperson, John Murphy, commended suppliers for the exceptional resilience they have shown over the past year in the face of higher costs, weaker grain and dairy markets and periods of extreme weather.

He drew attention to the new opportunities available within Tirlán’s representative structure and encouraged interested farmers to get involved.

“Tirlán’s future success will be defined by the Co-op’s young farmers so we are establishing Young Farmer Groups across the Tirlán catchment area. These groups aim to build a two-way communication channel between young farmers and their Co-op.

Above: At the Information Session in Gorey were Niamh Keane, Tirlan; Declan McDonald, Gorey; Jim Bergin CEO and Glen Chapman, Boolavogue

Jim Bergin, Tirlán CEO said that Tirlán is close to completing the new €200 million Kilkenny Cheese plant at Belview, which is a joint venture with Royal A-ware from the Netherlands and that the Co-op continues to welcome new entrants to milk production.

Seán Molloy, Chief Ingredients & Agri Officer at Tirlán, said that the Co-op had a good year, albeit in the face of lots of challenges and thanked customers for their loyalty. Addressing the €11 million investment to upgrade and rebranding of Tirlán’s 52-strong local branch network, he said: “It’s really great to see where we made those investments, the very positive impact they had in the local area and indeed the great support we had in the local areas for the open days and for the continuing trade that followed. This encourages us greatly to ensure that we have that vibrant branch network as part of our offering to our customers.”

Farmer information meetings ran in Gorey, Kilkenny city, Clonmel, Navan, Castlelyons, Dungarvan and Portlaoise.