July 2016 Newsletter

Milk Price & Supply

The milk price for the month of June is unchanged at 25.65 cpl (116.60 cents per gallon) at 3.60% butterfat and 3.30% protein, including milk price support of 0.5 cents per litre (cpl) by the Co-Op, Summer Somatic Cell Count (SCC) bonus of 0.5 cpl, SDAS bonus of 0.15 cpl and VAT at 5.2%.

The average price paid for the month based on the average butterfat of 3.87% and protein of 3.40%, including SCC, SDAS bonuses and VAT is 27.07 cpl.

The milk supply for the month of June was 22,771,429 litres (5,009,003 gallons). This represents an increase of 2.3% on supply compared to June 2015.

Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS)

At a recent board meeting the following deadlines were approved in relation to the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).

• All suppliers are required to be signed up SDAS participants by the 1^st October 2016
• All suppliers are required to have completed an SDAS audit by the 31 March 2017
• From January 1^st 2017 suppliers will receive a maximum of 12 months back payment of the SDAS bonus. Therefore any supplier that signed up in 2014 or 2015 should complete their audit before the 31^st of December to maximise their bonus.
• Over 75% of June milk supply was eligible for the SDAS bonus. The Society will assist anyone who requires assistance or advice in preparing for their audit. For more information contact Tim Regan (086 8241635) / Darren Lynch (087 2140715).

NDC and Kerrygold Milk Quality Farm Walk

See this article for photos.

Drinagh Group at Carbery Milk Quality Awards

See this article for photos.

Carbery Milk Quality Award Winner Farm Walk

On the farm of:

Michael & Marguerite Crowley, Bauravilla, Skibbereen

(By kind permission) on Friday 12^th of August from 2.00 to 4.00 pm.

Topics for the day:

• Milk Quality
• Herd performance & breeding
• Money management
• Grassland Management(improving milk composition through grass)

All are welcome

Signposted on the Drimoleague/ Skibbereen road

Photos