January milk prices steady at Dairygold as early calvers due 7c/l top-up

Dairygold has held December’s base milk price into January, as eligible suppliers are due to receive a 6.99c/l ex-VAT early calving top-up for last month’s supplies.

The co-op set January’s base milk price at standard constituents at 34.49c/l excluding VAT, but inclusive of sustainability and quality payments.

The base price, sustainability payment, quality payment and early calving bonus comes to 41.44c/l ex-VAT for eligible January supplies.

Dairygold said that its suppliers will receive a 51.0c/l average milk price when accounting for actual constituents.

The processor has also announced that its balanced scorecard payment, early calving payment and grassroots payment are to be adjusted to reflect solids in 2026.

Dairygold stated that these changes have been put in place to reward milk suppliers’ solids performance.

A 10,000l January supplier will stand to gain €176 ex-VAT as a result of the linking of these payments to constituents.

Market movement

“Dairy market fundamentals remain largely unchanged. Global milk supply continues to be strong, with no signs of supply scarcity,” Dairygold chair Pat Clancy commented.

“There has been some upward movement in commodity prices observed in recent weeks, with a limited return of buyers to the market to secure supplies following a very quiet Q4 2025.

“Overall sentiment remains cautious in light of the sustained high levels of global milk supply. The Dairygold board continues to monitor markets closely and will review milk price on a monthly basis.”