Most of the large milk processors held the same price for April as they paid out in March. Given the market changes in the last few weeks, there will be big pressure to increase May price when co-op boards start meeting from next week. With butter making near record prices of €5,500/t and even the dreaded skim milk powder making over €2,000/t farmers will be looking for their share of the upturn.

April league

The west Cork Co-ops are out on top and this price excludes the milk quality bonus (0.5c/l) that is available for top-quality milk which over 70% of west Cork suppliers will be able to get. Aurivo were second in March but they have dropped down as they have an “early calving bonus” which has dropped out.

North Cork co-op dropped price in March but have lifted again for April. Lakeland had a 0.37c/l transport charge on top of the C value but they have decided to drop this charge. That means LacPatrick is the only processor left with a significant transport charge on top of the C value.

North Cork clarification: Last month, the value of fat and protein information returned to us from North Cork included North Cork’s milk quality bonuses (SCC, TBC and SDAS). One supplier queried the figures when they didn’t tally with his milk statement. Instead of the A value quoted (€5.88), it should have been €5.49. Similarly, the B value quoted was €3.53 when it should have been €3.29.

North Cork pays a milk quality bonus for SCC under 300,000 and TBC under 40,000 so it should be included in this league but not in the A and B values.

Our league is calculated at 250,000 SCC and 30,000 TBC so these quality bonuses were and should be included in the end result price. I understand North Cork is working on a new format for displaying the price differently on its monthly milk statements to avoid confusion.

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Full coverage: milk prices