December 2013 Newsletter

Milk Price

The milk price for the month of November is the same as last month- 39.80 cents per litre (180.93 cents per gallon) at 3.60% butterfat and 3.30% protein, including an increased bonus of 0.88 cents per litre for Winter Somatic Cell Count of less than 200,000 and including V.A.T. @ 4.8%.

Milk Supply

The milk supply for the month of November was 6,749,096 litres (1,484,599 gallons) with an average butterfat of 4.40 % and an average protein of 3.65%. This represents an increase of 1,318,321 litres (289,991 gallons) on butterfat adjusted supply compared to November 2012. The Co-Op was 2.20% over quota at the end of the November. This equates to 2,671,000 litres over quota. If supply matches quota for the remainder of the quota year, this will result in a Super Levy bill of €765,415 for the Society before the allocation of National Flexi milk. Figures from the Department estimate the country was 1.38% over quota at the end of November.

Health Certificate

A number of suppliers have yet to submit a Dairy Health Certificate. We will be unable to collect milk from 1st January 2014 without receiving a completed cert. The white copies of pages 1,3 and 4 should be sent to the Co-Op. The cert should be signed by a vet and dated 2013. We have spare certs for anybody who has lost their original. The completion of the cert is now an annual requirement. If you intend to continue supplying into January, please attend your Health Certificate obligations immediately to avoid unnecessary letters and phone calls.

Temporary Leasing

Remember the closing date for applications to and from the second and final stage of temporary leasing is Friday 10th January 2014. Application forms (yellow forms) for those looking for quota are included in this month’s statements. Applications forms (white forms) for those with spare quota who wish to lease into the pool are available from Seamus Daly in the Central Office.

Seasons Greetings

Our board of Directors, Management & Staff wish all our milk suppliers, customers & shareholders a Peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Milk Deliveries

The Department have become aware of rumours that milk suppliers who are over quota may be considering selling their milk through informal channels and not through their regular milk purchaser. Also suppliers may be considering selling their milk through suppliers who are under quota.

The Society as a milk purchaser can only accept milk when we are absolutely certain of the place of origin of that milk. The Milk Quota Regulations put an obligation on milk purchasers to inform the Department when it suspects irregular milk supplies are taking place. The milk traceability system operated by milk purchasers is the cornerstone of the Department’s Certification of Milk Products for Export service.

Inspection programmes carried out by the Department will now carry a greater focus on identifying and following up on irregular milk supply arrangements. The Department have and will continue to carry out audits to check for irregular milk supply in the area.

Spring Dairy Seminar

The Co-Op will hold a Spring Dairy Seminar in the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen on Wednesday 15th January 2014 at 8.30pm. Guest Speakers will include Kevin Lane, CEO of The Irish Dairy Board and Michael Moloney of An Bord Bia. All are welcome to attend.

Milk Quota Trading – First Stage

The results of the first stage of the 2014/2015 Milk Quota Trading Scheme have been announced by the Department. There were nine quota holders who offered all of their quota into the Scheme. The market clearing price in Drinagh was 8.0 cents per litre. There was a total saleable pool of 1,275,451 litres. Each successful applicant for quota from the market exchange pool received 76.39% of quota applied for. Quota bought or sold through the Scheme will be transacted with effect from the 1st April 2014.

Milk Quota Trading – Final Stage

The Final round of Milk Quota Trading will take place in early 2014 with a closing date of Friday 7th February 2014. This will be the last chance for milk quota holders to sell their milk quota through the Co-Op before quotas are abolished. If any quota holder is interested in selling their quota or want more information, contact Seamus Daly in the main office.

Score Drinagh Feeds Notice

Christmas Working Arrangements:

Monday Dec 23rd Open 9am-5pm
Tuesday Dec 24th Open 9am-1pm
Closed Dec 25th, 26th, 27th,28th, 29th
Monday Dec 30th Open 9am-5pm
Tuesday Dec 31st Open 9am-1pm (Closed half day for stock take)
Wednesday Jan 1st Closed
Normal working hours thereafter

To maintain our good service we would appreciate if orders were in as early as possible before Christmas.

At Score Drinagh Feeds we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for your valued custom, support and loyalty throughout the year. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and look forward to your continued trade in 2014.