The base prices on offer for September milk are down by another 2.5p/l at both Lakeland Dairies and Dale Farm, leaving those prices 6 to 7p/l below what was being paid at the start of the year and at their lowest point since May 2024.

In the case of Lakeland Dairies, it will pay for September milk from a base price of 35.8p/l, to include its 0.5p sustainability payment.

Dale Farm followed suit and also took price down by 2.5p leaving its base at 36.3p/l. That price includes its 0.3p/l loyalty bonus and is before collection charges are applied.

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However, suppliers to the co-op will also receive an average payout from its milk production realignment scheme of 0.6p/l in September.

Omagh-based Strathroy Dairies has also declared a September price, taking its base down 2.5p to a starting point of 35.5p/l.

Looking ahead, winter bonuses do kick in for October milk in a number of cases and traditionally, there is a reluctance to cut base price and pay a winter bonus in the same month.

However, sources continue to point to falling commodity prices and strong global supplies which mean buyers are holding off entering the market in the hope of further price reductions.

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