October 2020 Dairy Newsletter

Milk Price

The milk price for the month of September is unchanged at 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%. This includes 1.0 cent per litre milk price support from the stability fund.

The average price paid for the month is 39.97 cents per litre. This is based on the average butterfat of 4.48% and protein of 3.80%, including SCC bonus and VAT.

Milk supply from January to September 2020 is up 4.33% on the same period last year.

Chairman & Vice-Chairman

At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors Mr. TJ Sullivan, Urhan Cross, Eyeries and Mr. Jerome O’Mahony, Derryduff, Drimoleague were re-elected as Chairman and Vice–Chairman respectively.

We congratulate them in their appointments and wish them well in their terms of office.

Lactose / Late Lactation Milk

Lactose is a quality indicator of the process ability of late lactation milk (the lower the lactose the poorer the processing 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%

1. Dry off any low yielding cows.
2. Dry off all high SCC cows - the long dry period will also help cows recovery for next season.
3. Maintain a good quality diet as energy intake and body condition are key.

Lactose penalties below:

Chlorine Free Notice

From November 1st, 2020, chlorine-based detergents will no longer be available in Drinagh branches.

This is to come in line with industry standards on the full removal of chlorine-based products by the end of this year. The change to chlorine-free (CF) is required to eliminate trichloromethanes (TCMs) and chlorates in dairy products.

Drinagh carry a range of both liquid and powder- based CF detergents.

Liquid CF Detergents are:

1. Avalkasan Gold CF
2. Multisan CF
3. Aseptoactive
4. Deosan Liquid CIP
5. Deosan Osan (detergent/ descaler)

Powder CF Detergents are:

1. Circodine CF
2. Jetster
3. Aseptopowder
4. Deosan Farm Cold Cleaner

If you have any concerns or wish to discuss the changeover to CF please contact Tim/Darren.

Peracetic Acid

In the new chlorine-free regime, peracetic acid is fast becoming a popular product. Many wash routines now use peracetic acid in the final rinse to sterilize the milking machine.

When using peracetic acid in the milking machine wash routine, it is very important to use it correctly.

The correct procedure is as follows:

1. Use the correct rate. Some products only require 60ml for 8 units. There is no need to use above the recommend rates.
2. Add the peracetic acid to the 2nd half of the final rinse. The caustic based detergent used in the main wash needs to be fully flushed out before the peracetic acid is added. If there is still traces of the detergent in the machine it will reduce the efficacy of the peracetic acid.
3. Flush the peracetic acid through the machine to drain, in larger plants the solution should be circulated for 1-2 minutes.
4. All rinse water should be drained from the plant and the plant is then ready for the next milking.
5. Peracetic acid should only be used after milking, as the acid requires 4 or 5 hours to breakdown. Peracetic acid should never put through the milking machine immediately before milking.

Products containing peracetic acid that are stocked by Drinagh include Serpent, Cluster XX, Aval Thermolklense and Romit.

Fixed Milk Price Scheme 7

Drinagh is offering milk suppliers a new 3-year fixed milk price scheme beginning on January 1st, 2021 and ending on December 31st, 2023.

The price for the 3-year period at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein is 33.10 cents per litre including Summer SCC and Vat @ 5.4%. This scheme is available to all milk suppliers at a minimum of 10% of 2020 supply volumes. However, in the event of under subscription, an increased volume of between 10% and 20% may become available for individual suppliers.

Milk supplied under the fixed milk price scheme will qualify for a bonus (if any) paid from the Society’s profits. It does not qualify for any bonus paid by Carbery.

An information letter and an application form to join the scheme is included in this months accounts. The option to take up this scheme is voluntary. Closing date for the 7th fixed milk price scheme is close of business on Wednesday October 28th, 2020.

Thermodurics and TCMs

Thermoduric Bacteria: Thermodurics are bacteria that can survive pasteurisation and grow through cheesemaking and subsequently through the ingredient manufacturing process, ultimately ending up in final product. A thermoduric level of 500 cfu/ml or less is necessary in milk to ensure that it is fully suitable for processing.

Trichloromethanes (TCMs): are formed when milk and chlorine from the detergent come into contact.

Target limits for TCM levels are 0.0012mg/kg and under.

Please note: TCM text results will only be sent out as whole numbers. For example:

0.0012mg/kg = 12 ; 0.0020mg/kg = 20

Therefore, each supplier should be targeting a TCM result by text of 12 and under.

REMINDERS

• Closing date for FMPS 7 is Wednesday October 28th, 2020
• From November 1st, 2020, chlorine-based detergents will no longer be available in Drinagh branches