Dairygold introduce SCC bonus

By Joe Rea

01 October 05 : Dairygold have introduced a SCC Bonus from 1 September 2005. This bonus payment is 0.3c/the or 1.36c/g (1.07p/g). This applies to milk with less than an SCC of 200,000.

This has significant consequences for Dairygold milk cheques. Over a 12 month period, if 50% of their suppliers qualify for the Bonus it is worth €2.6 million to the suppliers. A prize worth chasing.

The West Cork Group who initiated the first SCC Bonus of 0.2c/l in the country have increased the rate. From November to February their bonus will be 0.88c/l or 4/c/g (3.15p/g). If this bonus applied at this rate for a 12 month period it is worth €1.6 million to West Cork milk suppliers if 50% of the milk qualifies.

This West Cork bonus is driven by Carbury Milk Products. They already have a reputation for excellence.

Their general manager Dan McSweeney told me that "there is a growing requirement for better quality milk for making functional high quality cheese''.

Both the Dairygold and West Cork bonuses establish an important principle. Dairy processors are looking for higher milk standards and are prepared to pay extra to achieve this objective. The Farmers Journal Dairy Award winners, the Ryan family of Waterford, achieved an SCC of 144,000 last year.

Irish Farmers' Journal Milk League Tables

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