There has been some supplier movement within the dairy sector this week, with a small number of LacPatrick suppliers switching to Dale Farm as of 1 January.

Sources indicate that a sizeable number of suppliers had notified LacPatrick of their intent to leave back in early 2017.

However, it seems just two suppliers have subsequently moved, both of whom are based in Co Antrim and former suppliers of Ballyrashane.

The size of the milk pool is estimated as being relatively small, with the combined total less than one million litres.