The rolling 12-month milk price continues to rise despite processors holding base prices steady over recent months.

For the 12-month period ending April 2017, average milk price has increased by 0.7p/l on the same average calculated at the end of March 2017.

The higher prices continue to reflect the ongoing recovery in dairy markets since the second half of last year. With each passing month, the lower prices paid during the first half of 2016 continue to drop out of the 12-month rolling average.

In the 350,000-litre table, good-quality milk averaged 24.08p/l with average quality milk on 22.82p/l. The top places continue to be taken by Glanbia companies. For good-quality milk, Fivemiletown and Glanbia Milk are in first place on 24.24p/l, while for average-quality milk, Glanbia Cheese has moved up from third to first position this month, with Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown following closely behind. From top to bottom across good quality milk the difference is 0.46p/l, which equates to £1,610 for a 350,000-litre producer.

In the one-million litre supply table (Table B), good-quality milk averaged 24.49p/l, an increase of almost 0.8p/l on the 12-month figure from our March league.

All processors are now paying an average in excess of 24p/l for good-quality milk over the past 12 months.

Lakeland continues to have the highest 12-month price for good-quality milk, paying 24.68p/l, but is down the league for average and below-average quality milk.

Performing strongly across the good and average quality categories is Glanbia Cheese, but with a price that is bottom for below average quality.

Elsewhere, the LacPatrick Red Tractor price is in the top three positions across all three milk qualities, while Dale Farm has moved up significantly from our league last month. Its Red Tractor price is ranked fourth for good quality milk, third for average and second for below-average quality milk. In the March league, it was ranked sixth, sixth and third in these three categories respectively.

Aurivo has also moved up, but going in the opposite direction in the table for a 1m litre producer are Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown.