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Table B outlines the prices paid for October supply by each processor, to a 1m-litre producer of milk delivered at three different qualities outlined in Table 1.
Across all processors, good-quality milk averaged 31.64p/l which is an increase of 1.1p/l on the previous month. That increase is partly due to winter bonus payments, which in a number of cases kicked-in during October.
However, milk production is at a seasonal low point during October, and with the proportion of milk solids produced being higher, it generally translates into improved prices per litre.
Dale Farm paid the highest price to a 1m-litre producer last month, paying 33.36p/l on alternate day collection.
It is followed by Glanbia Cheese in second place, paying 33.14p/l. Despite collection charges at Dale Farm amounting to 0.37p/l, higher bonus payments on cell counts helped the co-op to hold first position.
Aurivo is in third place, again helped by its winter bonus. Lakeland and Strathroy are in joint fourth place.
Despite not paying winter bonus for October, Lakeland’s 1p/l super hygiene bonus is included on good-quality milk, and helps to strengthen its final league position.
Average quality
The monthly prices outlined for average-quality milk are probably most reflective of the reality on NI farms. Glanbia Cheese is slightly ahead of Dale Farm at the top of the table, with the Magheralin-based company paying 31.82p/l. With both processors paying similar bonuses for milk solids, and hygiene on average quality milk, Glanbia Cheese is slightly ahead due to the 0.2p/l mozzarella bonus, no collection charges and a higher monthly volume bonus.
Aurivo remains in third place, followed by Strathroy in fourth, with Lakeland, Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown and LacPatrick rounding out the table.
12-month rolling average
Dale Farm remains at the top of the rolling average league table, paying the highest milk price over the last 12 months, as outlined in Table C.
On good-quality milk, Dale Farm and Lakeland are the only processors to pay a price above 31p/l. Aurivo and Glanbia Cheese are in third and fourth positions.
For average-quality milk, Dale Farm continues to pay the highest milk price over the last 12 months.
NI’s largest processor paid 29.89p/l, putting the co-op 0.26p/l ahead of Lakeland which is placed in second position on 29.63p/l.
Glanbia Cheese overtakes Aurivo in third position, with Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown holding joint fifth position.
Strathroy edges out LacPatrick at the bottom of the league table.
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