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For the second month in a row, Lakeland Dairies retains its position on top of the of NI milk league, paying 48.96p/l for milk collected on alternate days during September.
Like the majority of competitors, NI’s largest milk processor left its base price unchanged for milk supplied last month.
This kept Lakeland out in front with a starting price of 47.5p/l and this was a major factor to it retaining its place at the summit of the league table.
There are no positional changes to the league table for September, despite Tirlán/Fivemiletown being the only processor to alter its price.
It added 0.25p/l to its agri-input support payment, putting suppliers on a starting point of 47.15p/l.
Once the usual premiums on milk quality are applied, Tirlán finishes in the runner-up spot for the second successive month on 48.89p/l.
Milk quality
The September milk league is calculated using DAERA milk quality statistics published for the same month last year.
This means the outlined prices are calculated at 4.10% butterfat, 3.36% protein, 4.66% lactose, 23 TBC and 237 SCC.
Milk solids continue to increase month-on-month, with higher percentages of fat and protein adding 0.5p/l when compared to the August league.
Monthly milk production is at its lowest level over the course of the year during September.
This means, where processors apply a fixed charge for collection, the cost of transport per litre is slightly higher than last month.
Chasing pack
Behind the top two, Dale Farm is next, although there is just 0.27p/l separating third and sixth place.
Dale Farm paid from a base of 47.05p/l, a price which includes a 0.3p/l loyalty bonus. Once adjustments are made for fat and protein, the co-op finishes third on 48.07p/l.
That leaves Aurivo holding fourth place on 47.96p/l, ahead of Glanbia Cheese and Strathroy.
Rolling average
Tirlán continues to lead our analysis for milk pricing over the last 12 months for a farmer producing 750,000l annually.
Over the 12-month period ending September 2022, Tirlán paid an average of 41.32p/l for milk collected on alternate days.
Dale Farm holds on to second place, just ahead of Aurivo and Lakeland Dairies.
Daily collections
Moving to daily milk collections, Tirlán is again out in front with an average of 41.02p/l. Aurivo remains in second place, while Glanbia Cheese holds on to third. Neither Aurivo nor Glanbia Cheese apply transport charges on daily collections.
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