One of the consequences of the milk price and processing deal between Carbery and North Cork Creameries is that the monthly milk league is now missing a mudguard.

On average over the last six years, either North Cork or Boherbue have been at the bottom of the league. As North Cork is now firmly rooted in the mid-table, it exposes new players at the bottom.

For April, that position is held by Lakeland Dairies at €4.948/kg MS and it is joined in division three by Tirlán, which is paying slightly ahead at €4.963/kg MS. The Lakeland price is 10c/kg MS higher than last month, while Tirlán has held to the price it announced in April – although this could yet change retrospectively, depending on market returns.

The four west Cork co-ops are at the top of the April table once again, paying an average price of €5.424/kg MS. This price includes the share of the SCC bonus that is attainable, plus the element of the sustainability payment that is not conditional on purchases in the co-op. It’s included here on a monthly basis, as it is with Kinisla, but not actually paid until year end. Overall, the main theme for the April milk price is that of stability, with little change compared to March. The only processors to change price was the aforementioned Lakeland along with Aurivo (+10c/kg MS) and Arratipp (+8c/kg MS).

Net milk price for the rest was unchanged, although some adjusted the proportion of market returns and stability funds payments. Essentially, this just means that they are signposting to their suppliers that markets are going up or down.

Carbery, Aurivo and Boherbue are all dipping into the stability funds at present to support milk price. These are funds built up when milk price was high. Effectively, the boards of these co-ops made a decision to withhold some milk price and are now able to pay it back.

Looking at dairy markets, the situation is similar to milk prices in that there has been little change in the last few weeks. Butter and cheese continue to struggle in the European market. Even though butter has rallied a bit in recent weeks, its still about 50% lower now than it was this time last year.

Cheese prices are about 25% lower than they were this time last year. Protein is bucking the trend, with skim milk powder up around 20% compared to this time last year. The current milk price would be much lower if it wasn’t for the strength in protein.