After climbing to the top of the milk league in April, Aurivo has once again secured pole position by coming top of the league for May.

All processors increased their milk price last month with Aurivo up by 0.5p/l to 26p/l. While other processors are also paying from a base of 26p/l, it is transport charges and the bonus payments on milk quality and volume that boosted the Aurivo price in May. Against the criteria used, it paid an average price of 26.72p/l to its suppliers selling milk on alternate-day collection, an increase of 0.14p/l on the previous month.

The milk league is based on a 650,000-litre supplier with a typical seasonal supply profile. Milk quality for May is set at 3.92% butterfat, 3.29% protein, 4.74% lactose, 17 TBC and 206 SCC. Milk solids are down slightly on the previous month, reflecting higher milk yields as the majority of herds reach peak production.

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With Aurivo topping the league, the competition for the next five positions is tight with just 0.04p/l separating second and sixth place. There has also been considerable re-ranking of positions for May compared with the previous month.

Changing positions

Having been placed fourth in April, Dale Farm has jumped to second place with an average price of 26.58p/l for alternate-day collection.

Like Aurivo, Dale Farm increased its May price by 0.5p/l to a 26.3p/l base (with the member loyalty bonus of 0.3p/l added in), but higher transport charges than Aurivo have left them missing out on the top spot.

Having been rooted to the bottom of the league throughout 2017 to date, Strathroy Dairies has moved up the table in May, claiming third position with a price of 26.57p/l paid to its Red Tractor suppliers.

Base price

The Omagh-based milk processor increased prices for milk supplied in May by 1p/l, bringing it to a base price of 26p/l. Strathroy’s standard milk price is 0.2p/l lower than its Red Tractor price, leaving it at 26.37p, and in second last place.

Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown creamery have slipped from second place to joint fourth place for May. They were quick off the mark to set their price last month, adding 0.5p/l to bring their base to an all-in price of 26p/l (with the 0.6p/l ‘‘Fermanagh bonus’’ added in).

Other processors who increased their prices by 0.5p/l include LacPatrick, Lakeland Dairies and Glanbia Cheese.

LacPatrick has held on to sixth position with an average price of 26.54p/l for Red Tractor milk, which now forms the majority of its supply pool. Its standard price comes in at 26.34p/l, which is bottom of the league.

Lakeland remained in seventh place at 26.47p/l, while Glanbia Cheese has slipped to eighth place at 26.43p/l due to the lower milk solids used for May milk.

Overall, the average price across all processors for alternate-day collection milk was 26.51p/l, which was up 0.13p/l on April.

June milk

With Dale Farm already announcing that it will add 1p/litre to its June price, taking their base to 27.3p/l for members qualifying for the 0.3p/l loyalty bonus, the pressure is on other milk buyers to also lift prices when they meet over the next couple of weeks.