| 14/08/07           NFU Scotland has warmly welcomed a significant price rise by
                First Milk for its farmer-members. The co-operative has announced
              a two pence per litre rise with effect from 1 September.  NFUS President Jim McLaren said: “This is a significant move and much more in keeping with
              the scale of rises we should be seeing at the moment. There is
              still a long way to go before the farmgate price truly reflects
              market realities but we are getting there in stages. “This is a major psychological boost for First Milk’s
              loyal members who have stuck by their co-op through thick and thin.
              The co-op is taking a lead with price rises and this puts their
              members on a favourable footing when compared with other prices
              currently being paid to farmers. “NFUS is maintaining pressure on the supply chain to deliver,
              especially in light of increasing production costs and the impact
              of the weather which has reduced milk production on-farm. Feed
              wheat prices have been rocketing with reports of prices hitting £145
              a tonne for delivery into feed mills. That compares with just over £80
              per tonne this time last year. It is therefore essential that the
              farmgate milk price rises substantially just to keep pace with
              these cost increases.”  Cogent Desmond Rates Highly in Holstein PLI Rankings 
  RABDF
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