The increase in milk supply this year has not gone unnoticed on farms. Milk lorry drivers agree that 2017 is busier than ever, with a bigger increase in production this year compared with 2016.

“The first week in May would always be peak production, but we have suppliers this year with more milk by the end of March than what they’d normally have in May,” said Kevin O’Neill, who has four trucks collecting from Dairygold suppliers across north Cork.

It’s very, very busy at the moment

Kevin Dowling and his son have a truck collecting milk 24/7 from Glanbia suppliers in north Wexford.

“It’s very, very busy at the moment. Milk supply is up far more than it was before,” Dowling said.

As reported in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, the dairy industry is on course for a billion-litre increase over 2015 output, as post-quota heifers reach maturity and grazing conditions improve as we move towards 2017 peak production. It has been noticed by milk lorry drivers across the country who are on the road day and night.

“Milk supply is definitely three weeks ahead,” said Conor Spain, who draws milk from 63 Lakeland suppliers in Westmeath. “We are up on what we were at the peak in 2016.”

Carbery Group chief executive CEO Dan MacSweeney is confident that it can hold over the peak.

Heavy rains in New Zealand have affected production there and the majority of Irish co-ops held the March milk price.