Another decline in milk price gap

THE milk price gap continued to narrow in 2005, with only a 1.39 cent per litre (6.3 cent per gallon) range over the 14 co-ops and dairies in the Irish Farmers Journal/KPMG Milk Price Audit.

In 2003, the price gap was 3.69 cent per litre (16.8 cent per gallon). The audit revealed average 2005 prices for manufacturing milk of 27.37 cent per litre at Wexford Creamery Limited; 27.36 cent at Lisavaird Co-operative Creamery Limited; 27.05 cent at Barryroe Co-operative Society Limited; 26.88 cent at Newmarket Co-operative Creameries Limited; 26.82 cent at Dairygold Co-operative Society Limited; 26.81 cent at Bandon Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society Limited; 26.58 cent at Drinagh Co-operative Limited; 26.38 cent at Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited; 26.37 cent per litre at Connacht Gold Co-operative Society Limited; 26.19 cent at Kerry Co-operative Creameries Limited; 26.16 cent at Town of Monaghan Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society Limited; 26.11 cent at Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited; 27.37 cent per litre at Co-operative Limited; and 25.98 cent at Arrabawn Co-operative Society Limited.

Butterfat ranged from 3.71 to 3.85% and protein from 3.18 to 3.35%.