For each co-op, a green arrow indicates an increase in base milk price (compared with the previous month); a blank space signifies no change; and a red arrow indicates a drop in base milk price.
It is important to note that the cent-per-litre (c/L) milk prices – shown in the table below – are calculated using the widely accepted milk-pricing system. This is an approach employed by most Irish co-ops.
It should also be noted that, when calculating the base prices (on a c/L basis), we have used a fixed-mass density factor to convert from kilograms (kg) to litres (L).
The conversion factor used is 1.03, meaning 1L of milk corresponds to 1.03kg of milk.
The Irish c/L milk prices – quoted in the table – are base prices at the standard fat and protein percentages cited by the vast majority of co-ops (3.3% protein and 3.6% fat).
We also include base prices at standard European criteria (3.4% protein and 4.2% fat).
Furthermore, there is a column detailing what we describe as the maximum attainable price – which is based on consistent levels of 3.3% protein and 3.6% fat.
September 2022 prices
The milk prices in the table below are those quoted by co-ops for the month of September (2022).
All bonus and penalty payments are based on manufacturing milk. The VAT rate changed from 5.6% to 5.5% as per Budget 2022.
With regard to the Milk Price Tracker above, please see these explanatory notes:
- All bonus and penalty payments are based on manufacturing milk;
- Arrabawn pays a 0.2c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with a somatic cell count (SCC) fewer than 200,000 cells/ml;
- Arrabawn is paying an input support payment in September of 1.422c/L (excl. VAT);
- Aurivo has a milk storage bonus which is available to suppliers with a minimum annual supply of 160,000L who have enough refrigerated storage capacity to cover seven milkings at peak production. The storage bonus of 0.44c/L is now taken from the “C” from September 2021. “C” is 3.813;
- Aurivo has a 0.21c/L (excl. VAT) protein bonus available for every 0.05% protein achieved, above the co-op average protein percentage, in an individual month;
- Carbery Group pays a bonus of 0.5c/L (excl. VAT) from March to October and a 0.88c/L (excl. VAT) bonus from November to February to suppliers that achieve an SCC of fewer than 200,000 cells/ml;
- Dairygold applies no penalties to total bacteria counts (TBC) of fewer than 75,001 cells/ml in the months of January, February, November and December. Penalties will apply to TBCs more than 75,000 cells/ml in those months;
- Dairygold has 0.25c/L included and 0.1c/L for the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS), 0.1c/L for sign-up to milk recording (four/year) and 0.05c/L for sign-up to milk recording and a Munster Bovine herd health scheme;
- Dairygold also has a 0.04c/L maximum bonus attainable by farmers who achieve the minimum requirements for six criteria (TBC, thermoduric, sediment, SCC, lactose and inhibitors); this cumulatively amounts to 0.65c/L (excl. VAT);
- Lakeland Dairies is paying 1.422c/L (excl, VAT) Input Support Payment for August;
- Tirlán is paying an Agri Input Price payment of 6.16c/L (excl. VAT) on all milk for September including fixed milk contracts;
- Tirlán is also paying a Sustainability Action Payment of 0.47c/L (excl. VAT) to be paid monthly on all milk supplied in 2022;
- Kerry pays a 0.4c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC fewer than 200,000 cells/ml and 0.1c/L (excl. VAT) for SDAS;
- North Cork pays a 0.2c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC of fewer than 200,000 cells/ml;
- North Cork is paying a 2c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk included in fixed price contracts for August;
- North Cork is also paying a 1c/L (excl. VAT) input support payment for August;
- Strathroy pays a 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with an SCC of fewer than 200,000 cells/ml;
- Strathroy also pays a 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) bonus on all milk with a TBC of fewer than 10,000 cells/ml;
- Tipperary pays a bonus of 0.25c/L (excl. VAT) on all milk with an SCC fewer than 250,000 cells/ml.
