Tirlán announces €4.5 million dairy support payout

AGRICULTURAL co-operative Tirlán has announced a €4.5 million dairy support payout for milk suppliers who have traded with the co-op so far in 2026. Tirlán has said the payment will recognise suppliers who traded with the co-op and met the qualifying support threshold.

The co-op has also confirmed that a further payment run will take place before the end of 2026 for suppliers who meet the five cent per litre qualifying threshold through their 2026 trading activity.

In December, Tirlán announced a targeted €5.5 million dairy support package to assist milk suppliers during the early stages of the 2026 lactation. The package, which recognised and rewarded ongoing trade with the co-op, was designed to help manage on farm costs, such as feed and fertiliser, and to help support cow performance, grass growth and milk solids output.

Available between 4 January and 2 May, the package included measures such as a €40 rebate on Gain dairy feed, €60 per tonne rebate on calf milk replacer and a €10 per tonne rebate on Irish rolled cereals.

In addition, a €20 per tonne fertiliser rebate was applied to purchases ordered between 1 December 2025 and 14 February 2026.

To be eligible for the support payments, suppliers must have spent at least five cent per litre with their co-op in 2025 or achieve this level of spend by the end of 2026.

Individuals who had already met the threshold have had the support payments already credited to their trading accounts at the end of May.

Tirlán chairperson Ger O’Brien said the co-op is “pleased to be in a position to recognise and reward those who trade with their own co-op”.

He added: “In addition, farmers who availed of the support package secured their fertiliser requirements early in a year where supply chains were disrupted.”