The addition of winter bonus payments for October milk have taken Aurivo and Glanbia Cheese to the top of the leagues for 1m litre producers.

Shown in Table 1 below are the three different milk qualities used to calculate prices paid.

Across all processors, base prices averaged 27.51p/l for October, the highest monthly average since December 2018.

On good-quality milk, the average price paid was 30.89p/l, up from 29.36p/l the previous month.

As shown in Table B, Aurivo has halted Glanbia Milk’s six-month consecutive run at the top of the table. The west of Ireland co-op paid an average of 31.95p/l to suppliers on alternate day collection. It last led this table back in October 2019.

Aurivo’s price is boosted by a 0.35p/l hygiene bonus, as well as having lower collection charges when compared to second-placed Dale Farm.

Glanbia Cheese moves up one spot to third place, overtaking Lakeland Dairies, which slips one place to fourth.

Glanbia Milk drops four places to finish in fifth, followed by Strathroy, the only processor not to pay in excess of 30p/l for good quality milk.

Average quality

Moving to average quality milk, the average price paid across all processors was 29.31p/l, a rise of 1.3p/l on September.

The three processors that paid a 2p/l winter bonus all finish on an alternate day price greater than 30p/l, with Glanbia Cheese in first place on 30.52p/l.

The Magheralin-based processor is up two places from the previous month, and last claimed top spot for average quality milk in September 2019.

Aurivo edges out Dale Farm for second place, thanks to its transport charges being 0.2p/l less.

Strathroy moves up three places to finish fourth, with Glanbia Milk and Lakeland rounding out the table.

12-month average

Despite finishing in the bottom half of the monthly league, Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown remains at the top of the 12-month rolling league table (Table C).

For good quality milk, Glanbia Milk’s price has risen by 0.16p/l and now stands at an average of 28p/l over the past 12 months. Lakeland is just behind on 27.92p/l.

Moving to average quality milk, which is probably the best reflection of actual farm gate prices in NI, Glanbia Milk remains on top with a price of 26.74p/l. The spread from top to bottom is 0.7p/l.

Read more

Beef prices on the rise as supply tightens further - IFA

Antibiotic use down 22% in Northern Ireland