August milk production highest since 2005
Milk production in August was the highest since 2005, reaching 1.11bn litres – 28.7m litres below July but 52.1m litres more than August last year.
However, cumulative production was still 39.5m litres behind the same time last year, at 5.78bn litres, according to provisional figures from the RPA. Butterfat averaged 3.92%, both for the month and cumulatively.
Dairy farmer numbers in England and Wales fell further with a net loss of 23 producers in September, to 10,495 – 214 fewer than the same time last year. Meanwhile, DairyCo’s latest milk price league table showed 19 price increases for July, and five price cuts.
“Most of the price increases were for manufacturing-/constituent-based contracts,” said the report. “However, there were increases for the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group following the quarterly review of input costs, and for farmers on First Milk’s liquid contract.” Price cuts included those for Arla Milk Link owners following adverse currency movements.
“Arla Foods Milk Partnership members may soon have their opportunity to become co-owners of Arla Foods amba,” it added. Subject to members’ votes, farmers would have until 15 November to confirm their intentions.