First Milk holds milk price for October

First Milk is holding its member liquid milk price for October 2019 at 27.45p/litre.

The processor’s manufacturing standard litre will also be held and remains at 28.37p/litre.

Both prices include the so-called 13th payment – a 0.25p/litre premium that will be paid annually to members from April 2020.

See also: First Milk members to get 13th payment in 2020 

The co-op’s vice-chairman and farmer director, Jim Baird, said the price hold had been made possible because of a strong trading performance in the first half of 2019.

“We will continue to do all we can to maintain returns, despite the obvious uncertainties ahead,” Mr Baird added.

First Milk’s announcement marks the fourth consecutive month of price stability for its co-operative members and follows news of a cut in Muller’s October price.

Muller Direct suppliers face a 1p/litre drop to 25.25p/litre from 1 October.

See also: Muller cuts October farmgate milk price by 1p/litre for direct suppliers

Muller blamed the 1p/litre cut on a reduction in the market value of farmgate milk, which reflected record levels of production and a marginal decline in demand for fresh milk.

However, farmers who qualify for the Muller Direct Premium 2019, which involves complying with three herd health schemes, will get an additional 0.5p/litre at the end of the milk year.