text: Glanbia Ireland has become the first major processor to set its milk price for October supplies; it decided to hold it at the same base price offered for the previous month.
  This means that Glanbia suppliers will receive a base price of 35c/L including VAT for the second month in a row for milk produced in October.
  This price is based on manufacturing milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein. The decision to hold its milk price in September brought to an end four months of consecutive 1c/L milk price increases.
  Commenting on the announcement, Glanbia Ireland chairman Henry Corbally said: “While wet weather has affected early season output in New Zealand, the key EU regions of Germany, France and the UK are now reporting higher milk output.
  “Consequently market sentiment has weakened. The board will continue to monitor market developments on a monthly basis.”
  Meanwhile, Ornua’s Purchase Price Index (PPI) continued its upward trend for 2017, having increased from 114.3 in September to 116.4 in October last week.
  Recently the CEO of Bord Bia, Tara McCarthy, revealed that she expected that 100% of Irish dairy farmers will be signed up to Bord Bia’s Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme by early next year.
  This was one of the messages conveyed by Bord Bia’s CEO, Tara McCarthy, at the annual foodservice market seminar in Dublin.
  The SDAS is a comprehensive quality and sustainability programme that independently audits performance at farm level every 18 months.
  With winter comes colder weather, often freezing in Ireland, therefore it is important to ensure that all machinery on the farm is in good working order.
  The Department of Defence’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ booklet advises to keep tractors in the shed when they’re not in use.
  It also advises to have adequate anti-freeze in the cooling system as it can become diluted if being topped up during the year.
  There is increased risk of injury during severe weather conditions and most injuries result from slips and falls causing fractures and head injuries.
  Clear a number of tracks around the farmyard, treat with de-icing salt and keep to these safe walkways.
  If rigging up additional lamps and heaters use the correct wiring and ensure these are protected by a 30 milliamp RCD (Residual Current Device) on the switch or fuse board to prevent electric shocks.