ORGANIC COOPERATIVE APPROACHES TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT

THE LITTLE MILK COMPANY:A GROUP MARKETING INITIATIVE BYORGANIC DAIRY FARMERSGillian Westbrook, Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IE)IRELANDHIGHLIGHTSFarmer expertise, and input from the artisan food sector demonstrate the best use of summer productionFarmers are innovating by taking control of the farm gate price and reducing their susceptibility to future price fluctuations,especially with the removal of the EU milk quotasWorking effectively as a collaborative group plays a key role in adding value to farm produce, thereby supporting farm viabilityand the expansion of the organic sector, whilst ensuring a degree of independence for the producers.BACKGROUNDDairy farmers generally produce either summer or winter milk, depending on their farm’s calving system, with few exceptions,where milk is produced all year round. Due to its higher production costs, especially the price of organic feed, winter milk attractsa higher price premium than summer milk. Although some organic farmers can produce milk all year round, this option can belimited by the suitability and quality of available land as well as the herd size. Organic dairy producers tend to favour summer milkproduction because of their breed choice and the sustainability of the system, but the farm gate price for organic milk is oftennot sufficient to support a viable dairy business.Summer milk from grass-fed cows has an ideal compositional quality for the production and maturation of certain high-valuecheeses, while winter milk is suited to certain soft cheeses. Increasing the farm-gate price, by adding value to summer milk, wasthe main motivation for these farmers in their consideration to diversify from liquid milk as it is difficult for individuals to gainmarket access alone.16