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The 12-month rolling average milk price to December 2016 is showing an increase of 0.2p/l to 0.6p/l over the 12-month period ending in November, due mainly to improving milk prices in the second half of last year.
Just 12 months ago, base prices for December 2015 averaged 17.52p/l. With dairy markets showing improvements on a monthly basis since July 2016, base prices for December 2016 averaged 24.26p/l.
For a producer supplying 60,000 litres of milk during December 2016 and 2015, the increased base price translates into an additional £4,044 in sales income.
Top-paying co-ops
Based on Tables A and B which outline the typical prices paid for a 350,000-litre producer over the past 12 months, Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown paid the highest price at 21.72p/l for good quality and 20.45p/l for average quality milk.
In Table B, for a 1,000,000-litre producer, Lakeland paid the highest price for good quality and average quality milk.
Good quality milk was paid at 22.01p/l, with average quality milk being paid at 20.67p/l.
It is followed closely in second place by Glanbia Milk and Fivemiletown on 21.92p/l..
Dale Farm paid the next highest price on good quality milk across 2016 at 21.72p/l, dropping to the sixth best price for a 1,000,000-litre producer supplying average quality milk.
Glanbia Cheese paid 21.72p/l on good milk and 20.64p/l on average quality over the past 12 months. Aurivo came in at 21.59p/l on good quality and 20.5p/l on average quality milk.
Comparing the average prices paid for good and average quality milk across the tables, the bonus paid to suppliers of good quality milk ranged from 1p/l to 1.4p/l. A similar price differential exists between average and below average quality milk.
Along with fat and protein, some processors have revamped their payments on milk hygiene with an additional payment available should producers manage to keep cell counts below a set level.
Lakeland winter bonus puts it on top of NI milk league for December
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