Kerry has decided to hold its milk price for the second consecutive month, meaning its suppliers will receive a base price of 36c/L including VAT for October milk.

Kerry suppliers were made aware of the decision recently. Last month’s announcement that the processor would hold its milk price for September supplies brought to an end four months of consecutive increases.

Its decision to hold its milk price follows similar calls made by Glanbia and Lakeland Dairies.

Glanbia Ireland also decided to hold its milk price at 35c/L – VAT inclusive – for manufacturing milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein. The processor also held its September milk price.

As well as this, Lakeland Dairies has also confirmed its decision to hold its base price for October milk. Its suppliers will receive a base price of 36.5c/L including VAT for milk produced in the tenth month of 2017.

Other processors are set to reveal their milk prices for the tenth month of this year in the coming days and weeks.

Last week, Ornua’s Purchase Price Index (PPI) continued its upward trend for 2017, having increased from 114.3 in September to 116.4 in October last week.

This represents an increase of 2.1 percentage points in the space of a month. The increase for the tenth month of this year represents the sixth consecutive monthly increase in 2017.

National Dairy Conference just around the corner

The National Dairy Conference is set to take place on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, at the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny and Hotel Kilmore, Cavan, respectively, Teagasc has recently announced.

Commenting ahead of the conferences, Tom O’Dwyer, Teagasc’s Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, said: “’Seizing Opportunities for a Better Future’ is the theme for this year’s event and an exciting panel of speakers has been assembled to explore the issues that will shape the future of dairy farming in Ireland.”

Delivering the keynote address in Kilkenny will be Sean Molloy of Glanbia, who will outline both the challenges and opportunities faced by Glanbia in the marketplace and what response Glanbia has for these issues. Molloy will also present findings from a Glanbia supplier survey recently conducted.

Meanwhile, Michael Hanley, chief executive of Lakeland Dairies, will give a similar presentation from the Lakeland Dairies perspective to the Cavan conference. A number of other speakers will address the conferences on a range of topics.