NI milk price continues to rise

The average farmgate milk price for March supplies was 26.29p/litre, up 8p/litre on the previous year’s price of 18.2p.

Milk production for March totalled 205.53m litres, an increase of 3m litres on March 2016.

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This is the first time since April 2016 that monthly milk production was higher than the corresponding month for the previous year.

After recent increases in global dairy commodity prices, the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) is expecting an increase in domestic milk prices.

UFU dairy chair William Irvine said farmers are feeling short-changed, with base prices remaining relatively static in recent months. He added that the changes in exchange should have given local milk prices a boost, something that was promised by processors but so far has not materialised.

“If dairy processors are serious about securing their supplier base in the future, they must demonstrate a wiliness to pay their suppliers a sustainable milk price that accurately reflects the market,” said Irvine.

MPI

After gradually slipping in value since the start of the year, the UFU milk price indicator (MPI) recorded an increase last week, up from 26.42p/l on 21 April to 27.38p.

The MPI, which is an indicator of what markets are returning, does not include transport charges or factor in processor margin. According to local processors, a reasonable estimate of transport costs, and a margin (that also allows for re-investment), would be approximately 2.5p/l.

Holstein NI raise £30,000 for charity

Holstein NI’s family open day raised a whopping £30,000 for the Perinatal Trust at the Royal Victoria Hospital’s neonatal unit. The event was hosted by the Smyth family, Cloghmills, who operate under the Ballyweaney herd prefix.

More than 60 items were donated for a charity auction, which saw the top price of 3,200 guineas paid for a four-week-old heifer calf.