Tirlán has announced a milk price floor of 38.35c/l, ex-VAT and including a 0.48c/l sustainability action payment, for milk supplied during the months of September, October, November and December, barring unforeseen events.

The co-op has also announced its base price for milk supplied in August, which is 37.40c/l ex-VAT, including a temporary 0.96c/l weather-support payment and a 0.48c/l sustainability action payment.

In the coming weeks, more than €4m will be distributed to Tirlán milk suppliers through feed rebates, the co-op stated.

"As a farmer-owned co-operative, we understand the value of certainty in helping farm families plan cash flow, feed purchases and investment decisions,” Tirlán chair Ger O’Brien said.

Additionally, he said that liquid milk premiums, seasonality bonuses and autumn calving scheme payments on top of the floor price would reward those who incurred the additional costs associated with supplying milk during the winter months.

Protein markets

O’Brien said that while protein markets remained strong, milk supply growth across key export regions continued to weigh on overall dairy market returns.

"Market demand and pricing remain relatively stable. Milk suppliers can be assured that our teams continue to focus on maximising returns from the marketplace and any improvements in market conditions will ultimately be returned to our farmers."

Liquid milk and autumn calving schemes

The Tirlán board has recently approved a new five-year payment framework for participants in the liquid milk and autumn calving schemes, effective from 1 October.

The January seasonality payment has been increased from 6.70c/l to 8.61c/l ex-VAT, while the unconditional seasonality payments for December and February remain at 4.78c/l ex-VAT. Seasonality payments are available to all milk suppliers, provided milk quality criteria are met.

The package also provides a 12.44c/l ex-VAT liquid milk premium on contracted liquid milk supplies and a 11.48c/l premium on contracted autumn calving scheme supplies.