This is a subscriber-only article
A number of milk buyers in NI have declared their October base price this week, and while most have held, Dale Farm has decided to shave 0.5p/l off its price, taking it to 28p/l once the 0.3p/l loyalty bonus is added in.
However, with a winter bonus of 2p/l applying for October milk, it is a total price of 30p/l, which means NI’s largest milk buyer is likely to retain its position towards the top of our monthly milk league.
Glanbia Cheese also pays a 2p/l winter bonus in October. The Magheralin-based company decided to hold at a base of 27.5p/l, bringing it to an all-in price of 29.5p/l.
Strathroy is also holding at 27.5p/l for October and will pay an additional 1p/l on all milk delivered over the next five months, taking the price for October to 28.5p/l.
Lakeland Dairies declared its price on Tuesday and will continue to hold at 27.5p/l for the fifth month in a row.
Unlike a number of its competitors, Lakeland does not pay a winter bonus on October milk, instead opting for a winter bonus of 3p/l in November and December.
Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown also held at 27.5p/l, including its 0.6p/l year-round supply bonus.
This leaves Aurivo and LacPatrick to still declare a price for October.
Both processors have indicated they will pay a winter bonus, with Aurivo replicating last year’s payment of 2p/l for October and November, with 1p/l paid on December and January milk.
LacPatrick is expected to confirm its winter bonus payment after this month’s board meeting.
The latest milk price indicator (MPI) from the Ulster Farmers Union is down 0.45p/l to 26.85p/l. Allowing for transport costs and a processor margin, this points to farmgate prices below 25p/l.
Most milk buyers spoken to over the last few days have indicated their intention to implement cuts to base prices in November.
SHARING OPTIONS: