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August Milk League - N.I.
August milk price league

Golden Vale South - top for fat

By Joe Rea

Golden Vale South paid an actual price of 100.30p to their farmers for August. This is a significant development. It is the result of the highest fat in the league at 3.78% and one of the top proteins at 3.30%. All of this from the only independent based milk testing operation in the country.

The high constituents from Golden Vale South has a striking effect on its ranking in the August league. While on the standardised basis Golden Vale South are in 16th position, however it jumps to 7th place on the actual payout basis. This puts it into the company of Kerry, Mid-West, Wexford, North Cork, Thurles, Newmarket and Dairygold who all beat £1 per gallon based on actual creamery fat and protein. All good prices in the current climate.

The increase in the August 1999 Golden Vale South constituents compared to August 1998 is worth an extra 0.84p per gallon to farmers. This is not a just once off gain. The trend is constant since the introduction of independent testing. See accompanying table comparing Golden Vale South constituents 1999 v 1998.

The nett result is that for 1999 the gain in payments to farmers (based on even a simple average) is virtually 1p per gallon.

August prices

The main feature in the August league is stability. There is only one change compared to July. Lisavaird has increased its price by .05p per gallon. Otherwise the places remain the same.

Division One is headed by Kerry and Mid West both beating 102p. The remaining creameries in the top division are Newmarket, Wexford, Nenagh and North Cork all beating the £1 per gallon mark. Continuing to perform well are Monaghan, Thurles, Dairygold and Drinagh who narrowly miss the £1 per gallon cut but top division two.

The four creameries showing the lowest price cut August 1999 v August 1998 are Oldcastle, Monaghan, NCF and Wexford - reductions under 3.50p in all cases. Quite an achievement. Just look at the Northern prices on this page and you will see what I mean.

Dairy policy

It is correct, the IFA National Council unanimously approved the policy of its dairy committee to break the land quota link and to make quota available to active producers. Where had all the dissent vanished to when it came to the Council meeting? One must ask was the dissent for real or just playing games?

Against this background it is quite extraordinary that there was not even one voice opposed to the dairy policy at the Council meeting.

The real strength of the dairy policy was that it was based on painstaking, competent work by dairy chairman Padraig Walsh and secretary Catherine Lascurettes over many months. They put in travel, time and effort, personally consulting with every county dairy committee in Ireland.

This is how policy should be established, rather than be set up by a few well placed phone calls which can exploit innocence.

12 pence price collapse in N.I. prices

THE most astonishing feature in the 1999 August Northern league is the price collapse of United and Fermanagh compared to August 1998. Fermanagh are top of the cuts, down over 12p per gallon.

United not far behind reducing by 11.82p. While Fermanagh has only two per cent of the milk supply, United handle 64 per cent. This means real pain for the majority of Northern suppliers.

Pritchitt with the lowest cut of only 2p top the league paying almost 84p.

The Pritchitt price is over 7p per gallon ahead of the Fermanagh level. Even United compared to Pritchitt leaves a gap of over 4p per gallon.

Pritchitt is joined in Division One by Donegal, Leckpatrick, Fivemiletown and Monaghan all beating 81p.

When this figure is converted into Irish punts this means that all Division One players beat £1 per gallon.