September milk supplies continued the above quota trend that was established from the very first month of the new quota year.

September is the sixth month of the final quota year and given the quota positions of the co-ops in our survey, it seems almost certain Ireland will finish over quota nationally. Heavy rain in the last few days has slowed milk for the first time this year, in some co-ops, but the expected large-scale October dry-off has not yet started.

Most of the major milk processors are between 3% and 9% over quota at the end of September based on our co-op survey results (see Figure 1).

The Department of Agriculture has announced that based on estimated milk deliveries as submitted by milk purchasers for the period up to 31 August 2014, Ireland is 6.44% over quota when account is taken of the butterfat content. The official Department September milk supply results will be available in coming weeks.

Co-op results

The big three, Glanbia, Kerry and Dairygold, all report they are well over quota.

Glanbia is 7.4% over quota or 63m litres. This means its situation has worsened considerably from August when it was 6.5% over quota (48m litres), while its other arm Premier is now 5.9% over quota (10m litres), up from 5.3% over quota at end of August.

Kerry Group reports that it is 25m litres over quota (3.5%), while this time last year it was 21m litres under quota. September supplies are running 7% to 8% ahead of where they were in September 2013. Dairygold reports it is 9.37% over quota at the end of September.

Arrabawn estimates it will end August about 10% over quota, with September milk supplies about 9% ahead of the same month last year. Near neighbour Centenary Thurles estimates it will end August 9.8% over quota also.

In the north and northwest, Aurivo reports it is 3% over quota year-to-date, while near neighbour Lakeland Dairies reports it is 8.5% over quota for September. Town of Monaghan reports September milk supplies are up 9% compared to last year and estimates it will finish September 6% over quota.

In west Cork, Bandon reports it ended September about 8.4% over quota. Barryroe’s September supplies were up 1% and it estimates it will end September 8% over quota. Drinagh Co-op milk estimates it will finish September 9% over quota. The final co-op of the Carbery quartet, Lisavaird, estimates September milk was up 3% compared to September last year and reckons it finished September 9% over quota.

Wexford Co-ops report it is 4.6m litres over quota (7.2% over) at end of September.