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Results from our survey of all the main milk processors this week shows May milk supply improved slightly on poor April supply (see graph).
The west Cork co-ops, Kerry and Dairygold, which probably suffered some of the worst rain and snow in March, are still down on milk supply relative to May 2017.
Meanwhile, Arrabawn, Aurivo and Glanbia have finished May slightly ahead of May 2017 when compared on a like-for-like basis.
If confirmed, it will mean that nationally the country will supply about 5m to 10m litres less in May 2018 than it did for May 2017. This means nationally milk cheques could be down between €3m and €5m compared with the same month last year.
Warmer weather and better grass have increased milk supplies in the last number of weeks and most processors suggest they have passed peak milk at this stage. All representatives suggest the impact of difficult weather for grazing and limited quantities and quality of feed supplies continue to take their toll on milk produced.
In the east, the largest processor, Glanbia, reports that monthly milk supply is likely to be up by 1% on May 2017 supplies.
Further south, the largest processor, Dairygold, reports May volumes down 1.5%. In the southwest, Kerry reports May volumes down 4% for May after they reported an 8% fall for April.
In the midlands and north of the country, Arrabawn reports it is up 2%, Aurivo up 3% and Lakeland Dairies up 4%.
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