For the ninth month in a row, Glanbia Milk has finished top of the NI milk league, with the Virginia-based processor paying the highest price for September supplies.

All processors, with the exception of Dale Farm, increased their respective base prices by 1p/l for September. While Dale Farm did raise its price, it opted for a 0.75p/l increase.

In the case of Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown, the 1p/l increase brings it to a base price of 27p/l, which includes its 0.6p/l year -round bonus payment for all suppliers.

September sees NI milk production reach its lowest monthly volume across the year, although milk quality is on a rising curve

Factoring in the usual top up payments on milk quality and allowing for transport costs, Glanbia Milk paid a table-topping price of 28.17p/l to a 650,000l producer for milk collected on alternate days.

September sees NI milk production reach its lowest monthly volume across the year, although milk quality is on a rising curve. As a result, top up payments on milk solids were a key factor in the calculations used to finalise the September milk league.

Milk quality

These calculations are based on milk quality statistics recorded by DAERA for the same month in 2019. Butterfat is at 4.10%, protein at 3.37%, lactose at 4.63% and TBC and SCC at 18 and 217 respectively.

Changing positions

Lakeland Dairies moves up one spot to finish third on 27.65p/l, as does Aurivo on 27.49p/l. Just 0.07p/l separates the processors in mid-table to those at the bottom of the league.

Strathroy jumps two places to finish in fifth for September, paying 27.45p/l. The Omagh-based processor paid the lowest base price of 26p/l, matched by Glanbia Cheese, which slips three places to finish in sixth. The Magheralin-based processor temporarily reduced the qualifying criteria for its mozzarella bonus from May to August.

Dale Farm has also slipped one place to finish at the bottom of the table on 27.42p/l

But this has now reverted back to the original 3.2% protein, 4% butterfat, 25 TBC and 200 SCC from last month and at the outlined milk quality, the 0.4p/l premium does not apply for September. Dale Farm has also slipped one place to finish at the bottom of the table on 27.42p/l.

Rolling average price

With its continued dominance of the milk league in 2020, it is no surprise that Glanbia Milk leads the 12-month rolling average table for alternate day collection, with a price of 26.56p/l.

The gap is also widening to third-placed Lakeland Dairies, while Strathroy claims fourth spot.

For those on daily collections, Glanbia is again top, with a price of 26.34p/l, followed by Strathroy in third on 26.06p/l.

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