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Glanbia Ireland/Fivemiletown finishes on top of the NI milk league for the second month in a row, paying 38.41p/l for milk collected on alternate days during February.
With all processors increasing base prices by 1.5p to 2p/l, it is Glanbia’s 1.5p/l winter bonus and 0.4p/l sustainability bonus that keeps the Virginia-based processor in first place.
February is the final month until the autumn that winter bonus payments will affect the monthly league tables.
Strathroy Dairy is the only other processor to make such a payment for milk delivered in February, with its premium worth an additional 1p/l.
Combined with a 2p/l increase in base price, this winter bonus helped the Omagh-based processor climb two places to finish third on 36.96p/l.
Milk quality
The February milk league is based on a dairy farmer supplying 750,000 litres annually with a supply profile in line with the NI average. The prices calculated in the February league are based on actual DAERA statistics from February 2021, when butterfat averaged 4.15%, protein was 3.29%, and lactose was 4.78%, with TBC of 19 and SCC of 194.
Chasing pack
When all winter bonus payments are excluded, Dale Farm leads on base price after a 1.5p/l increase brought its suppliers to a starting price of 35.55p/l inclusive of its 0.3p/l loyalty bonus.
However, after applying the normal top-ups for milk quality and deductions for transport, the co-op finished fourth for the fourth month in a row.
Having increased base price by 2p/l, Lakeland Dairies moves up one place to fifth on 36.44p/l. This price does not include any allowance for Lakeland’s new payment structure which pays higher increments to farmers who increase their own milk solids over a reference year. Behind Lakeland, Glanbia Cheese gains one place to finish sixth.
Despite a 1.75p/l increase in base price, Aurivo’s winter bonus no longer applies, and it has slid four places to finish bottom of the table.
Rolling average
Glanbia Ireland continues to lead the 12-month rolling league tables for both alternate day and daily collections.
On alternate days, Glanbia has paid an average of 32.98p/l, followed by Dale Farm in third on 32.67p/l.
The gap to fourth has widened, with Lakeland on 32.36p/l.
On daily collections, Glanbia Ireland has averaged 32.68p/l over the last 12 months, with Glanbia Cheese in third spot on 32.33p/l, with Aurivo fourth.
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