Aurivo is paying the highest base price for January milk with an all-in base price of 26p/l. The Donegal-based processor increased its December price by 0.5p/l and continues to pay an extra 1p/l winter premium to its NI suppliers.

In the past, Aurivo paid a winter bonus of 2p/l on all milk supplied in November and February. Last October, it announced a change in winter premiums, paying an additional 2p/l for October and November deliveries, plus a further 1p/l on all milk supplied in December and January.

LacPatrick announced on Tuesday that it has increased its January price by 1p/l to a base of 25.5p/l. Glanbia Cheese has rolled its 2p/l winter bonus into its January base price, bringing it to a 25.25p/l base.

Until Aurivo announced its January price, Dale Farm was paying the top base price of 25.8p/l when its 0.3p/l loyalty bonus was added to its 25.5p/l base. Dale Farm increased its January price by 1.5p/l.

Lakeland increased its January price by 0.5p/l, bringing it to a 25p/l base. Strathroy remained unchanged, with a 24p base plus a 1p winter bonus, taking its total price to 25p/l.

Also unchanged in January are Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown, remaining at 25.5p/l. We will compare actual prices paid across different volumes and milk qualities in our monthly milk league next week.

Auction

This week’s GDT milk auction saw prices drop by 3.2%, with powder prices coming under further pressure. Whole and skimmed milk powders fell by 3.7% and 3.8%, respectively. Cheddar prices fell by 5.3%, while butter recorded a small increase in price.

Revised forecasts on New Zealand production levels in 2017 were the key driver in lower auction prices. Initial reports indicated a drop in production of 7% in New Zealand, which has now been revised to 5%.