With all major processors increasing prices for milk supplied in June, a 1.25p/l increase keeps Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown on top of the NI milk league for the sixth successive month.

When combined with Glanbia Milk’s year-round 0.6p/l bonus, the price increase put suppliers on a base of 25p/l, which is 0.5p/l ahead of its closest competitors.

After applying all relevant top ups for milk quality and deductions on transport, the Irish co-op tops the June league with an alternate-day milk price of 25.55p/l, up 0.94p/l on the previous month.

Milk quality

The NI milk league is calculated using milk quality statistics published by DAERA for the same month during the previous year.

For June, the prices are based on 3.93% butterfat, 3.27% protein, 4.7% lactose, 18 TBC and 208 SCC.

The outlined milk quality figures are the lowest for the year to date, and as a result, bonuses for milk solids have less of an impact in deciding the final league positions.

Instead, it is individual base prices, volume bonus payments and transport charges that ultimately decided table rankings.

Chasing pack

All processors lifted base prices for milk produced last month, the first time that has happened in nearly two years. The increases have resulted in a number of changes in league positions compared to the May league.

A 1.5p/l price increase to a base of 24.5p/l sees Strathroy moving up two places to finish behind Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown in third with a price of 25.31p/l. Slipping one place to fourth spot is Lakeland despite setting the tone for higher base prices in June.

Having been rooted to the bottom of the table from January to May, Glanbia Cheese moves up two places to fifth.

The Magheralin processor increased base price by 1.5p/l and its 0.4p/l mozzarella bonus is now paid on milk produced at 3.85% butterfat and 3.15% protein.

Moving in the opposite direction is Aurivo, which slips two places to sixth, while Dale Farm finishes bottom of the table on 24.81p/l.

Rolling average price

Having finished joint top with Lakeland in the 12-month rolling league table in May (Table A), Glanbia Milk/Fivemiletown has moved out in front on an alternate price of 26.17p/l.

Lakeland is now positioned third on 26.14p/l followed by Aurivo and Strathroy.

Moving to daily collections, Glanbia Milk again leads the way, ahead of Aurivo and Strathroy.

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