Lisavaird paid top milk price last year

LISAVAIRD Co-Op has held on to the distinction of having paid the top milk price in the country last year in the annual Irish Farmers Journal-KMPG Milk Price Review.

The West Cork co-op paid an average manufacturing milk price of 38.46 cent per litre (cpl), after the deduction of collection charges and levies, in 2017 to retain the No 1 spot it held the previous year also. The average price paid across participating co-ops last year was 35.86cpl.

In fact, the four West Cork co-ops, who jointly own the Carbery Group, occupied the top four spots in the IFJ-KPMG price review with Barryroe in second place, paying and an average of 37.96cpl; with Drinagh leapfrogging Bandon into third place on 37.87cpl, with the latter fourth this year on 37.2cpl.

Commenting on their success, Lisavaird general manager Pat Moriarty said: ‘It was a necessary boost to our milk suppliers in what has been a very difficult 12 months for farmers – starting with Storm Ophelia last October, then the snow storm and heavy rains in the Spring and now a prolonged drought. ‘It could not have been achieved without excellent-quality milk from our suppliers all of whom are now SDAS (Bord Bia)-approved and the hard work of our staff here in Lisavaird.

Great credit is also due to Carbery whose commitment to paying a top milk price meant that the four West Cork co-ops took the top four positions in the review.’