Dairy farmers should be getting a seasonal 2019 boost of about 0.13c/kg of milk solids (1c/l) as cows deliver better fat and protein off high-quality grass and feed

However, milk price cuts imposed by processors over the last two months have negated the better milk solids.

Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that April 2019 combined fat and protein figures are better than April 2018 by 0.08% on average.

Farmers in five co-ops – Drinagh, Arrabawn, North Cork, Centenary Thurles and Kerry – supplied better milk solids by almost 0.1% or more. For example, Kerry protein and fat for April last year was 3.11% and 3.97%, respectively, or a combined 7.08%. The April figures show protein at 3.38% and fat at 3.87% or a combined 7.25%.

This additional 0.17% in milk solids should be worth almost an extra 2c/l in milk price.

Instead, what has happened across all co-ops is that milk price has been cut by 0.13c/kg milk solids (1c/l) over March and April supply.

IFA dairy chair Tom Phelan this week said: “Our comparison between April milk prices paid by the main co-ops, when compared to the main national and international indicators, clearly shows that some co-ops are paying less than what the Ornua PPI indicates.

“We believe there is scope for the worst payers to increase May milk price by 1c/l or more.”

Read more on the full milk league analysis.

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