Milk production levels fall

Monthly statistics published by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development show that the volume of milk produced in Northern Ireland has fallen by 20 per cent since May.

Production peaked in May at 225 million litres but since then, milk production has dropped by 45 million litres to just over 180 million litres.

This figures show how farmers are easing back on milk production, as the price they are being paid for their milk decreases. Milk is currently at its lowest price in nine years with the price being paid to farmers less than 19p a litre. In 2014 the price per litre was 29p but even this was down 2p per litre from the 2013 figure. Farmers claim that to break even they need to make 27p a litre.