LIVESTOCK - Dairy
News | Husbandry | Features  | Milk League
August 28th 1999

Kerry scores double

By Joe Rea

KERRY tops the June league on both the standardised basis and on actual creamery constituents. This means it returned 102.25p on standardised constituents on 3.6 fat, 3.3 protein and 100.10p on its actual payout to farmers based on average creamery fat and protein.

To say the obvious the reason for this unique milk league double beating £1 under all headings is the high Kerry basic price coupled with butterfat at 3.55% and protein 3.22%.

This is one of the highest constituent levels in the south. All of this is further underpinned by a low price reduction of only 2.9p in June 1999 compared to June 1998.

The only other creamery with a lower reduction is Monaghan with an impressive 2p. While Nenagh like Kerry only dropped by 2.9p.

The creameries with the highest reduction is Bandon at 5.95p, but this is not for real because it will be largely offset by a end of year bonus of 2p - 3p.

The other creameries with a drop of over 5p, June 1999 V's June 1998 are Lisavaird and Dairygold. Lisavaird will of course pay a bonus to offset part of this reduction and Dairygold may well adopt a similar approach at year end.

Top performers

Overall the most impressive feature of the June league is that nine creameries beat £1 per gallon. The top five places go to Kerry, Mid-West, Drinagh, Newmarket and North Cork. On the actual constituent base the top five are Kerry, Wexford, NCF, Mid-West and Barryroe.

The highest butterfats are Golden Vale North at an excellent 3.61% with NCF and Glanbia at 3.59%. While on protein the top performer was Wexford at 3.29%, Thurles and Oldcastle both at 3.27%. This gives Oldcastle sixth place on constituents far removed from the zoo cows of a year ago.

Golden Vale North

I have increased the Golden Vale North transport charge from 2p to 3p in the June league. It will continue on this basis until I have actual evidence which justifies the 2p charge.