Results from our survey of all the main milk processors this week show that October milk supply will be up over 20% for the month, compared with the same period last year across the country.

Some processors are up by close to 30% for the month. Milk supply held up well as grazing conditions were excellent and farmers continued to supplement.

The percentage increase is further emphasised by the fact that October milk supplies for the second half of October 2017 were reduced as storm Ophelia moved across the country.

Last year, the Central Statistics Office reported that October 2017 domestic milk intake by creameries and pasteurisers was estimated at 536m litres.

If our estimated survey results for October 2018 are confirmed by processor returns, then on average there were an additional 107m litres produced by farmers in the month.

At a milk solids percentage of 8.5%, that would be an additional milk solids of more than 9m kg – which if valued at €4.38/kg (31 c/l), puts an additional €40m of extra output into October milk cheques compared with the same month last year (€2,200/supplier).

Dairygold, Kerry, Arrabawn, and Lakeland report volumes up 20%.

The west Cork co-ops are up by between 25% and 30%.