Dairy processors operating in NI have left base prices unchanged for September.

That means Dale Farm will pay from the highest base price of 24.8p/l when the co-op’s 0.3p/l loyalty bonus is added in.

Just behind is Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown on a base price of 24.75p/l, a price which includes the 0.6p/l year round bonus paid to all suppliers.

NI shareholders of the co-op will also benefit from the Glanbia board’s decision to increase the top-up support payment to 1c/litre excluding VAT, having paid a 0.5c/l top-up last month. For September this converts to an additional 0.8p/l on all milk supplied during the month.

Elsewhere, NI’s largest milk processor, Lakeland Dairies, set the trend for September milk prices when it declared last Friday.

With no change to its milk price, this keeps Lakeland suppliers on a base of 24.5p/l, a price which is matched by Strathroy.

Glanbia Cheese has also held its milk price for September on a base of 24p/l. Aurivo is the only processor still to declare a milk price and is expected to do so on Thursday.

Aurivo has also indicated that approximately 40% of its NI suppliers have signed up to its latest fixed-price contract, which guarantees a minimum base price of 27p/l before normal premiums on milk quality and volume are applied.

The contract runs from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020 and suppliers could commit up to 10% of their monthly milk supply under the agreement.

GDT

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s GDT auction recorded a 0.5% increase in the index price which now stands at US $3,330/t, making it three positive auctions in a row.

At current exchange rates, the index price converts to an approximate farm gate price of 33p/l, before applying a 5p to 6p/l margin for transport and processing costs.

Butter recorded a 0.4% price drop, with cheddar falling 2.2%. Skim milk powder rose by 2.4%, with whole milk powder unchanged.

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