May 2019 Newsletter

Milk Price

The milk price for the month of April has been reduced by 1.00 cents per litre – bringing the price to 33.07 cents per litre (150.34 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 34.95 cents per litre. This is based on the average butterfat of 3.91% and protein of 3.39%, including SCC bonus and VAT.

Carbery Shares

The Board of Carbery has announced a trading window for shareholders who wish to trade their shares. The trading window is open now and closes on the 31st of May 2019.

Any supplier that holds and wishes to sell surplus shares can do so during this trading window.

The most recent valuation has put an indicative value of €4.08 cents on each share.

Grass Ensilability Testing

The Society offers a pre ensilability testing service to all customers. The test will give nitrogen and sugars readings, giving an indication if the silage crop is ready for cutting.

If you wish to avail of this service, please ensure all samples are delivered to the central office in Drinagh before 1pm daily in order to receive same day results.

Samples dropped in after 2pm will not be tested until the following day.

When collecting the sample:

1. The grass sample should be cut with a scissors / clippers at the same level as the mower would.
2. Collect a representative sample across the field from 3 or 4 different locations – avoid gaps and headlands.
3. Approximately half a shopping bag of grass is enough to complete the test.

Please contact Ciara Sheehan on 087 7384736 if you have any queries.

Quality Milk Suppliers

The top three milk suppliers nominated for the 2018 Carbery Milk Quality Awards by Drinagh based on Butterfat, Protein, T.B.C., S.C.C. results are as follows:

• Dan and Catherine McCarthy, Lissane, Drimoleague
• Daniel J. and William O’Donovan, Minanes, Drinagh
• Michael and Ann Hurley, Gortdromagh, Bantry

We congratulate the three finalists on their remarkable achievement of consistently producing top quality milk.

The overall winner of the competition will be announced next month.

Chlorates

Chlorate is a residue that can be tested for in finished products similar to trichloromethane (TCMs). Chlorate is formed in detergents containing chlorine. Chlorate in milk is of particular concern for infant formula manufacturers as there are strict limits of acceptable chlorate levels in finished product. There is a number of key factors that influence chlorate levels found in detergents and subsequently in milk:

1. The chlorine percentage of the product
2. The storage duration of the product (i.e the levels of chlorate increase over time as the chlorine breaks down).
3. Storage conditions – detergents stored outdoor around yards will have an increased chlorate level as sunlight increases the formation of chlorates in the drum/ barrel.

Solutions:

1. Minimize storage duration – purchase products frequently
2. Store all detergent in a cool dark environment and out of sunlight.
3. Use detergents with no more than 3.5% chorine or switch to chlorine free detergents where possible. Switching to chlorine free products will also reduce TCM levels in milk.

Milk Quality

Occasionally milk suppliers forget to turn on their milk tank for the first milking after milk collection. This is usually discovered the morning after the milk collection. What are your options?

1. Discard the uncooled milk, wash the tank and turn on the tank for the next milking, or
2. Turn on the tank and cool the milk before you commence milking. Only when the milk is fully cooled, should you start milking. Take a sample of the cooled milk to Carbery and test for TBC.

This option is usually only successful when the first milking has been efficiently plate cooled. Often the result is very high and both milkings must be discarded.

Bulk Milk Tank Service Contracts

Philip Walsh of Philip Walsh Refrigeration and Electrical Ltd is now offering bulk milk tank service contracts in the Drinagh area. Philips service charge can be deducted from the milk cheque similar to other service providers in the area. The company is based in Rathduff, Grenagh, Co.Cork and are contactable at 021-4886606 or on Philips mobile at 087–2524800.

Drinagh Trading Bonus

The Drinagh trading bonuses for fertilizer and feed and the milk bonus for 2018 announced recently will be paid in next months milk statement.

Agri Promotion

For more detail please see the Agri promotion flyer included in this month’s statement.

REMINDERS

• Carbery Share Price now €4.08
• Drinagh Agri Promotion now on