MIDWEST FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE LTD. 1963-1984

Midwest Farmers Co-Op which this year celebrates twenty-one years servicing the farmers of Galway, Roscommon, Offaly and Westmeath, has since its foundation been one of the most effective and  successful promoters of the interests of farmers in this region. Midwest Farmers commenced Milk Supply in 1963 at Athenry, Athlone and Clonberne. Originally an offshoot of the Couny Cavan based Kilnaleck Co-Op Midwest evolved into a totally Galway owned multi-purpose Co-Op which weatherd difficult times and developed into the financially strong service Co-Op it is today. In 1966 Kilconnell was built incorporating a Central Creamery for the churning of cream to butter. At that time milk was collected in cans and skim milk returned to the milk supplier.

 Production

In 1968 the average peak-day supply of milk per supplier was 9 gallons. Now it is 42 gallons per supplier – half the national average but only 30% of the larger creameries in the South. Over half of milk suppliers dropped out in the 1968 – 1971 period – between 1972 and 1984 the decline in suppliers was arrested by about 1.25% per annum while milk suppliers increased by approximately 8% per annum.

1974 Milk Supply was 7-8m.gallons

1984 Milk Supply was 19.1m.gallons

An increase of 2.5 times

The 1983 turnover at £25.7 million makes Midwest one of the regions’ biggest business organizations. Its operation in addition to having a considerable favourable impact on the incomes of farm families, also contributes substantially to the general economic well-being of its service area.

The Co-Op employs 100 workers and it also is a substantial user of   services which helps to create further jobs in companies which do business with the society.

Ownership and Management

Midwest Farmers Co-Op is owned by 4,500 farmer shareholders and it is controlled by a committee of management elected by the shareholders.

A feature of the development of Midwest Farmers Co-Op has been the dedicated service provided by office holders. Current Chairman of the Society, Larry larkin, has been a member of the Co-Op since 1962, a member of the management committee since 1966 and was elected chairman 2 years ago. Prior to Larry Larkin’s chairmanship great service has been given to the Society by Padraic Raftery of Athenry who became chairman in 1966 and served in office for 15 years until 1981. Gerry Colleran of Moylough became secretary of the society in 1966 and he maintains his tremendous contribution in this role still.

This year, under rules adopted by the Society in 1981, which decided on   a faster rotation of the Chairmanship of Midwest, Larry Larkin will be retiring from office and his successor will take up a position which has been filled with distinction since the first Galway Chairman was elected in 1966.

The business of Midwest has been managed very ably since 1973 by Alfie Dodd. Since he became General Manager the Society’s business has developed very considerably from a turnover of £3 million to an estimated £30 million currently.

Capital Investment

To handle the increased Milk Supply and to avail of E.E.C. Aids the level investment in Midwest has been high. The whole area of transport of milk had to be rescheduled. Commencing in 1976 Bulk Collection evolved firstly through the Branch Creameries and in 1982 direct to Kilconnell. The quality of milk in the earlier years inhibited in the direct transport of milk to central location

In 1976 the Society moved to Central Separation and Eva­poration of Skim Milk. All is done by Automatic Systems.

In 1982 the advent of high cost oil necessitated a move to coal- a cost saving of over 40% on oil costs to-day.

In 1984 to cater for the increased milk intake a new Intake System was installed – including weighing, milk intake rinsing – washing and sterilizing of tankers. In addition a central laboratory for testing of butterfat, protein etc will be shortly completed.

In 1984 a laboratory for Automatic Testing for T.B.C. and Antibiotics was installed.

Processing

Intake System: Trucks now carrying an average of 1,000,000 per annum. Each truck is weighed in and after disposing of the milk is checked out The total milk each day is checked with totals on the milk intake sheet to ensure accuracy. Milk is cooled to 4 C and stored in 3 x 25000 gallon Silos. Trucks and tankers are washed by an Automatic system ensuring sterilization each day.

Pasteurization and Separation:  Two pasteurizers and separators are utilized having an hourly capacity of 10,000 G.P.H. Milk is heated by regeneration and by steam to 176 F for pasteuriz­ation and cooled in stages by regeneration to 60 F. During the cooling process milk is separated at 133 F.    Cream is again pasteurized and cooled and stored in 4 x 1000 for Cream Silos for churning the following day. Skim Milk is evaporated on the same day.

Evaporation: This is a process of removing approximately 80% of the water from skim milk, increasing the solids from 8.8% to 43% in this process. This is done by boiling off the water -but the whole system is under vacuum to conserve steam and to reduce the cost. The boiling point of milk (or water) is considerably reduced under vacuum. This evaporating plant was installed by Shannonside Co-Op and is operated by Midwest. The condensed milk is transported to Shannonside at Ballaghaderreen to manufacture Skim Milk Powder, fat-filled powders and casein.

Churning: Cream from the previous day’s separation is chilled to 10 C and held at this temperature for an average of 24 hours. Churning is by means of two 2 ton per hour Automatic Butter Makers and packed in bulk for sale to An Bord Bainne. Both salted and unsalted butter is produced. There is capacity to churn the product of approximately 20000 gallons milk/hour. Butter Milk is sold for Animal Feeding.

Laboratory: The testing of the following items are carried out:

1. B.C. on equipment to ensure proper sterilization.
2. B.C. on butter and evaporated milk to ensure the speci­fications laid down are adhered to.
3. B.C. on Milk Suppliers milk to ensure that the proper standard of milk is received.
4. Testing of milk suppliers’ milk for Antibiotics.
5. Added Water.
6. Testing for % Fat in milk by Gerber Method. Automatic Testing of milk for fat and protein will commence later this year.

Boiler: Coal-fired boiler installed in 1982. Coal consumption is approximately 15 tons per day at peak and cuts costs by about 40% compared with oil.

Expansion

The creation of Shannonside Milk Products Co-Op is a tremendous tribute to the foresight and courage of Midwest Farmers Co-op. Shannonside was established in 1974 and resulted from the determination of Midwest   to secure a processing outlet for the farmers of the area and under farmer control.

The headquarters of Midwest are situated in Kilconnell and the impressive facilities here include the central milk processing centre and a milk evaporating plant operated on behalf of Shannonside Milk Products Co-Op in which the society is a major shareholder.

The purchase of Oranmore Dairies in 1983 was another milestone. The link between the producer and the consumer was forged with servicing of 12,000 householders with highest quality milk produced by the farmers in the area. A classic example of town and country working together for their mutual benefit

Although a relatively young Co-Operative Society, Midwest Farmers Co-Op, has made a significant contribution to the development of farming in County Galway and adjoining areas and there is little doubt  that the dynamism and dedication of the  Committee’s  management and staff of the Society, which has contributed so much to consolidating this big  business organisation will ensure that even greater progress will be made in the future in the interests of farmers and of the entire community.