October 2018 Newsletter

Agri Workshop, NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2018, Fodder Budgeting, Carbery Open Day, Shinagh Dairy Farm Open Day

15 October 2018

Milk Price

The milk price for the month of September is unchanged at 35.21 cpl (160.06 cents per gallon) at 3.60% butterfat and 3.30% protein, including Summer Somatic Cell Count (SCC) bonus of 0.5 cpl and VAT at 5.4%.

The average price paid for the month is 42.47 cpl. This is based on the average butterfat of 4.39% and protein of 3.85%, including SCC bonus and VAT.

Milk supply from January to the end of September 2018 has increased by 2.71% on the same period last year.

Agri Workshop

The Society's annual Agri Workshop will take place on Tuesday 27th of November in the West Cork Hotel Skibbereen.

More details in next month’s newsletter.

NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2018

At the recent NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards Liam and Dolores O’Donovan from Clohane, Skibbereen were one of nine farms that made the shortlist out of 19 nominated for the award.

Liam and Dolores received a special award on the day for “Best Percentage Protein”. Drinagh wish to congratulate Liam and Dolores on their excellent achievement. The overall award went to Darren and Denise Mckenna from Co. Monaghan.

Fodder Budgeting

A favorable autumn in terms of weather and grass growth has had a very needed positive effect on Winter feed supplies. However, feed stocks may be behind previous years on some farms and another late spring could see supplies running tight on many other farms. Completing a fodder budget will tell you how much feed you have in the yard. If a deficit is identified other options and costs can be discussed to help you make an informed decision. Contact Tim or Darren if you require any assistance.

Carbery Open Day

One of the many groups on tour through the Carbery production plant during the recent open week.

Shinagh Dairy Farm Open Day

Tues 13th Nov 2018

Theme: Sustaining excellent performance – facing up to the challenges ahead

  1. Financial performance in a difficult weather year and dealing with fodder deficits.
  2. Achieving excellent technical performance while protecting & enhancing our environment
  3. Making our dairy farms attractive places to work – ensuring we have suitably skilled & trained people to manage & operate our farm
  4. Enhancing our social licence to produce milk in profitable grass based systems- good animal welfare key to sustaining our performance

NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2018

Pictured at the NDC & Kerrygold Milk Quality Awards recently from L-R are: Darren Lynch & Tim Regan, Drinagh; Ruby, Eve, Emma, Annie, Dolores & Liam O’Donovan; Zoe Kavanagh, CEO NDC; Pat Sheehan, Ornua Vice- Chairman; NDC ambassador & Chef Clodagh McKenna; Jerome O’Mahony, Drinagh Vice-Chairman.

Reminder

Annual Agri Workshop on Tues 27th Nov at the West Cork Hotel.