November 2019 Newsletter
Milk Price, Lactose / Late Lactation Milk, Agri Workshop 2019, CalfCare Farm Event, CellCheck Milking for Quality Award 2018
Milk Price
The milk price for the month of October is unchanged at 32.01 cents per litre (145.52 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%. This includes 1.0 cent per litre milk price support from the stability fund.
The average price paid for the month is 40.45 cents per litre. This is based on the average butterfat of 4.71% and protein of 3.93%, including SCC bonus and VAT.
Milk supply for the period January to October 2019 is 4.62% ahead of the same period last year.
Lactose / Late Lactation Milk
Lactose is a quality indicator of the process ability of late lactation milk (the lower the lactose the poorer the quality).
Lactose content is largely an indicator of cow milk yield; as yields decrease so does milk lactose content. Late lactation milk will be lower in lactose and this is often exacerbated by low nutrition. Milk that is high in SCC will also have lower lactose levels.
Guidelines to maintain Lactose >4.2%
- Dry off any low yielding cows.
- Dry off all high SCC cows - the long dry period will help cows recovery for next season.
- Maintain a good quality diet as energy intake and body condition are key.
Lactose penalties below:
| On average of monthly result | PENALTY |
|---|---|
| >4.2 % | No Penalty |
| 4.00 – 4.20 % | 3 cent/litre |
| <4.0 % | 6 cent/litre |
Agri Workshop 2019
CalfCare Farm Event
Carbery, in conjunction with Animal Health Ireland and Teagasc, are hosting a calf care farm walk on:
Monday 16th December 2019
Start time: 11.00AM
Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm
Shinagh, Bandon Eircode P72 X050
Topics:
- Calf housing
- Achieving the highest standards of calf welfare
- Preparing calves for sale and attracting buyers
- Feeding calves efficiently without compromising on health or performance
All welcome to attend.
CellCheck Milking for Quality Award 2018
The CellCheck Milking for Quality awards is now in its 6th year. The award is given to the 500 milk suppliers nationally with the lowest weighted annual average SCC. This is based on SCC data collected by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and analysed by ICBF. Any supplier with at least 9 months SCC results are considered eligible.
Drinagh Co-Op are well represented and proud that 30 of our milk suppliers have qualified for the CellCheck Milking for Quality award based on 2018 results.
Each winner will receive a waterproof plaque (see picture) that is designed to be mounted on the wall of their dairy or milking parlour.
The 30 Drinagh CellCheck award winners are listed below in alphabetical order:
| Aidan Hickey Gurrane, Ballydehob |
Brendan O'Driscoll Shreelane, Leap |
| Dan & Catherine McCarthy Lissane, Drimoleague |
David Christopher Shannon Brahalish, Durrus |
| Denis G O'Brien Castledonovan, Drimoleague |
Donal & Mary Hayes Shountullig, Durrus |
| Finbarr McCarthy Dooneen, Castletownshend |
Jerry & Mary O'Neill Rerahanagh, Drimoleague |
| John B Leonard Reengaroga, Baltimore |
John Cadogan Church Cross, Skibbereen |
| John Hunt Lissacha North, Schull |
John O'Donovan Madranna, Leap |
| John O'Mahony Inchiclough, Bantry |
John O'Regan Kielbronogue, Schull |
| Kieran & Cathal O'Sullivan Dunmanus, Goleen |
Lawrence Hallihane Lickowen, Castletownshend |
| Leonard Draper Scart, Bantry |
Martin Murphy Cahirmounteen, Kealkil |
| Martin O'Brien Rushnacahera, Kilcrohane |
Michael Leahy Gurranes, Caheragh |
| Michael O'Driscoll Drishanebeg, Skibbereen |
Michael Russell Knockane, Drimoleague |
| Neil Collins Drinagh East, Lisbealad |
Neil Collins Dromusta, Drimoleague |
| Noel O'Shea Ballyally, Skibbereen |
Richard Jennings Keelinga, Leap |
| Sean Dineen Bawnbue, Drimoleague |
Tadhg O'Donovan Ahaguila, Clonakilty |
| Timothy J McCarthy Carbery View, Dromusta, Drimoleage |
William Wolfe Knockawaddra, Lisbealad |
Reminder
Calf Care farm Event on in Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm Monday December 16th, 2019