May milk supplies to all the major processors rose significantly for the second month of the new era without milk quota restrictions.

Our estimated tallies from processors suggest milk supplies to the end of May were up between 6% and 15% (see Figure 1).

With peak milk deliveries happening at the moment, processing capacity is being stretched for many processors. Glanbia collections to date for May 2015 were up 15% on May 2014. According to a spokesperson, Kerry milk supplies were up about 6% compared with May 2014 milk supplies.

Dairygold milk supplies were also up considerably, with estimates suggesting May deliveries increased by 12% in comparison with May 2014.

Moving up the country, Lakeland milk supplies were also up in relation to the same period last year. A Lakeland spokesperson estimates May milk supplies were up 7% compared with May 2014.

Tipperary Co-op estimates adjusted milk supply to have increased by 10% compared with May 2014 figures. Centenary Thurles also reports milk supplies are up about 12% on a weekly basis.

The west Cork co-ops have also seen an increase in milk supply. Drinagh reports adjusted supply is up about 8%. Lisavaird estimates supply is up about 10%in comparison with the same period in 2014. Bandon estimates a 14% rise and Barryroe about 11%.

Figure 2 shows the CSO monthly deliveries for 2014 compared with provisional survey estimates for 2015.