Milk processors in NI have confirmed that there will be no change to “out of season” bonus payments this winter.

This means the first payments are applicable on milk produced during October. Dale Farm and Glanbia Cheese will once again pay an additional 2p/l premium on every litre produced during the three-month period from October to December.

Strathroy will pay an additional 1p/l on all milk produced during the five months from October to February. Aurivo will pay 2p/l on all milk produced during October and November, reducing to 1p/l on milk produced during December and January.

Lakeland Dairies will continue to pay a premium of 3p/l on all milk produced during November and December.

This leaves Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown who for the second year in a row will pay a premium of 1.5p/l on all milk produced over the four months from November to February.

Net value

With a range of winter milk premiums available, what are they worth to a farmer producing 1m litres annually with a milk profile following the NI seasonal trend?

Monthly volumes would equate to approximately 72,500 litres in October, 73,200l in November and close on 81,000l in December, with 85,000 and 79,200l produced during January and February.

Based on these volumes, the Dale Farm and Glanbia Cheese winter milk premiums are worth an additional £4,540. For Lakeland, the premiums come to £4,635, with Aurivo’s monthly premiums worth £4,580.

Strathroy’s payment scheme is worth £3,912, while Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown’s monthly premiums would generate an additional £4,776 in milk sales.

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