Our November milk supply survey results this week show the main dairy regions have actually increased milk supply for November, compared to the same month in 2015.

Following significant reductions in milk supplies for September and October, strong November supplies are boosting throughput in milk processing plants.

Dairygold, Glanbia, and Carbery (see table) all recorded significant lifts in November supplies compared to November 2015. There are a number of factors driving this upward shift in milk supply – and improving milk price is a key factor. The other key point is November weather this year was much drier than November 2015.

Some processors did record a drop in November supplies following on from September and October reductions.

These reductions probably reflect those farmers that decided to take up the EU milk reduction package of 14c/l. Kerry recorded a supply 7% less than November 2015, similar to Aurivo down 6.5%, while Arrabawn were down 4%. LacPatrick estimates it will be about 12% back on last year.

Of course while we report percentages are up, for the large processors volumes delivered are much smaller in November. If we assume about 4% of the annual supply is delivered in November – that’s about 252m litres – then an increase of 5% to 6% on that would be the equivalent of an extra 12m to 13m litres in November supply.