Aurivo has moved to the top of the milk league for August, thanks mainly to a 2p/litre increase in its milk price.

The southern-based co-op announced last week that it was adding 1p/litre to its base, bringing it to 29p/l.

In addition, Aurivo paid an additional 1p/litre bonus on all milk supplied during August due to improved returns from commodity markets.

When milk quality payments, volume bonus and transport costs are factored in, Aurivo paid a price of 30.36p/l on alternate day collection. In the July league, Aurivo was positioned in fifth place with a milk price of 28.10p/l.

The August milk league is based on a dairy farmer producing 650,000l annually, with seasonal supply and alternate day collection. Milk solids are set at 3.23% protein, 3.93% butterfat, 4.6% lactose with 21 TBC and 225 SCC.

Narrowly missing out on top place in the August milk league is Dale Farm. Northern Ireland’s largest milk processor is placed in second with a milk price of 30.13p/l, putting it 0.23p/l behind Aurivo.

Dale Farm increased its August milk price by 1.5p/l, bringing it to a base of 29.7p/l. Its 0.3p/l loyalty bonus brings its suppliers to a base of 30p/l and is included in the league table price.

In a change to Dale Farm’s pricing structure, from 1 August 2017, it will pay a cost rebate of 0.3p/l to suppliers who produce between 650,000l and 1m litres annually. The new cost rebate has also been factored into the August league table.

Rising four places to third position in August is Glanbia Cheese, with an all-in price of 29.73p/l. The Magheralin-based company also increased its milk price by 1.5p/l, bringing it to a base of 29.25p/l.

Slipping from first place in July is LacPatrick, which is now placed in fourth with a price of 29.71p/l on Red Tractor milk.

LacPatrick increased its milk price by 1.25p/l for August, bringing it to a base price of 29.25p/l.

When the 0.2p/l Red Tractor bonus is excluded, LacPatrick is placed in sixth with a standard milk price of 29.51p/l.

Sandwiched between the two LacPatrick milk prices is Lakeland, which was first to set a milk price in August.

It added 1.5p/l to its base price, which increased it to 29p/l. When milk quality payments are applied, Lakeland had an alternate-day milk price of 29.68p/l.

Fivemiletown

Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown are placed in joint seventh with an all-in price of 29.35p/l for alternate day collection.

This includes the 0.6p/l year-round bonus. Both processors increased their milk price by 1p/l, putting them on a base of 28.4p/l.

Strathroy is at the bottom of the table even though it increased its milk price by 1.5p/l, putting suppliers on a base of 29p/l.

After applying milk quality payments, the Omagh-based processor paid 29.22p/l for Red Tractor standard milk. For non-Red Tractor milk, Strathroy paid 29.02p/l.