Lisavaird top as big gap remains in milk prices

THE best payers for milk are nearly 10% ahead of the back-markers in the Irish Farmers Journal/KPMG annual milk price audit.

In 2003, top payer Lisavaird Co-op averaged 27.24 cent per litre after collection charges and levies. Bringing up the rear of the 13 audited milk processors was Connacht Gold, paying 24.65 cent per litre, 9.5% off the pace.

However, the price range has narrowed from the 12.9% gap between Bandon and Connacht Gold in 2002, and the 11.78% gap between Bandon and Lakeland in 2001.