After several months when the prices paid by the various milk buyers in Northern Ireland were within a narrow range, the bonuses now being paid for October milk by some processors mean that there is a significant range from top to bottom this month.

With LacPatrick the only milk buyer yet to announce its October price, at present Dale Farm leads the way with a 2.5p/l increase, and an additional 2p/l winter bonus, taking its October base to 24.8p/l.

Glanbia Cheese Red Tractor is up 2p, with a 2p winter bonus also applying, taking its base to 24.25p/l.

Strathroy Dairies has added 1p onto its September price, with an additional 1p/l winter bonus applying for five months, starting in October. It means its October base is 24p/l.

Also at a base of 24p/l is Aurivo, which has increased its September price by 1.75p and also a new winter bonus payment of 2p/l applies on October milk.

Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown are up 2p to 21.90p, but with no winter bonus to be added in. Lakeland was the first to set a price, also announcing a rise of 2p/l, taking its base for October milk to 22p. Lakeland’s winter bonus of 3p/l applies for November and December.

With September and October calvings in the Republic of Ireland down over 11% this year compared with 2015, it all points to a trend towards more profitable spring calving systems there.

This must have implications for NI, where, unlike the South, the supply profile is relatively flat. Winter milk produced in NI is of increasing importance and value to milk buyers across Ireland. The question to be asked is whether current winter bonus payments in NI reflect this value into the future.

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