UK – Production of milk in October totalled 1.076 billion litres, compared with 1.061 billion litres in September, according to Dairy Market Update, a new report issued by the Milk Development Council (MDC).

The level of milk production was higher than in October 2000 when it stood at 1.047 billion litres. The MDC cites the good autumn weather as the reason for this. However, the figure is the second lowest for October in the past eight years.

Cumulative milk production for the year is 8.154 billion litres, compared with 8.045 billion the previous year. This is currently higher than in three of the past eight years. The average butterfat level of the milk delivered to dairies is still lower than 2000, however, with the cumulative average at 3.94% this year compared with 3.97% in 2000.

Meanwhile, average farmgate milk prices fell by 0.17p (0.27 euro) per litre to 0.2046p (0.326 euro) in September, compared with 0.2063p (0.329 euro) per litre in August. The slight fall was attributed to lower seasonality payments in September than in August, rather than falls in the underlying price. The price for September is almost 0.05 euro per litre higher than last year, which the MDC believes shows the degree to which prices have risen since October 2000.

Meanwhile, the White Stuff campaign will continue over the Christmas period despite dairy processors suspending funds. Approximately 320,000 euro gathered from farmers before levy collection could be halted will be used for a one-off burst of advertising over the Christmas period. The campaign, which was jointly funded by producers and the dairy trade, began in June 2000.