When Tim Cullinan took over the reins as IFA president in January, he appeared to have timed his run perfectly. While the beef trade was under pressure, there was a widespread expectation that the 'China effect' would see a price surge at some point in the spring.

St Patrick’s Day for many was the point at which markets would turn. In the case of dairying, most were confident that a base price north of 30c/l would prevail through the peak milk months.

Of course in January, coronavirus was a problem for the Chinese. No one could have anticipated the devastation that the virus would wreak on societies across the world within a period of just eight weeks.

By the end of March, the global economy had crashed with unemployment rising at a record pace and to record levels.

Collapse

The impact on the agricultural sector has been equally as devastating with the collapse of the food service sector as countries lock down their citizens in a bid to control the spread of the virus.

For Irish farmers, the announcement by McDonald's that it was shutting down its restaurants across the UK and Ireland marked the start of a domino effect that has rocked beef, sheep and dairy markets.

The cattle and sheep trade has been in turmoil

The cattle and sheep trade has been in turmoil, with farmers seeing finished cattle and sheep prices falling by €150 and €15 per head respectively.

Along with market disruption, the dairy sector is facing into peak milk production amid the threat of a coronavirus outbreak impacting on processing capacity.

It has led to co-op CEOs warning of a potential threat to milk collection should a major processing facility be compromised.

So, far from timing his run perfectly, Cullinan, just weeks into his presidency, faces into one of the biggest tests to confront any IFA president. Submission

Earlier this week, he outlined in a detailed submission to both the EU Commission and Government the demands of the organisation.

It was a comprehensive document, with a range of measures proposed to protect farm incomes across the various sectors.

However, Cullinan will be well aware that farmers will measure the IFA based on delivery and not detailed submissions. Ultimately, the real work now begins in getting proposals turned into policy.

These are nothing more than excuses and will not be seen as justification for lack of delivery

Compared with his predecessor Joe Healy, who had the benefit of dealing with an Irish Commissioner for Agriculture, Cullinan has the much more difficult task of influencing a Polish Agricultural Commissioner who most believe does not have the same command of his brief as his predecessor.

He also has to walk a political tightrope both in the EU and at national level, balancing the ask of the agriculture sector with the societal challenges facing governments.

But, of course, for a farmer seeing market prices collapse, these are nothing more than excuses and will not be seen as justification for lack of delivery.

Closer to home

Demands could also come on Cullinan closer to home. With the IFA’s deep links to FBD, he is likely to face pressure should farmers be forced to dump milk due to COVID-19 restrictions.

As we highlight in this week's Irish Farmers Journal, the farmer-established NFU Mutual insures Northern Ireland’s dairy farmers up to £105,000 per annum for uncollected milk. At present FBD, nor any other farm insurance provider, offer this type of cover.

Of course, in the background, Brexit and CAP reform continue to progress. And while the EU Farm to Fork strategy has been delayed, we understand that many of the proposals contained within could have a major impact on the productivity and profitability at farm level.

Restructure

Internally, Cullinan is also overseeing a restructuring of the organisation. Just days before coronavirus gripped Europe, the organisation announced a retirement scheme, which now appears to have been put on hold.

But perhaps within the dark clouds there could be a slim silver lining for Cullinan. No doubt one of his key challenges was to unite the organisation, with some IFA members splintering into other groups, including the newly formed Beef Plan movement last year.

The silence of the self-proclaimed leaders, the continuing in-house battle within that movement and the inability of Beef Plan to present any coherent proposals will surely play into Cullinan.

The farming sector is entering a critical period and this gives Cullinan the opportunity to show to farmers both the structure, competency and value of the IFA.

Of course, this will be a much easier sell if Cullinan can ensure the IFA proposals are implemented into policy measures that safeguards farmers' income in the weeks ahead.