The three largest dairy processors in the country, Tirlán, Lakeland Dairies and Dairygold, are among the co-ops paying the lowest price for milk, according to the Irish Farmers Journal milk league for May.

Combined, these three co-ops represent over two-thirds of the entire milk pool in the Republic of Ireland. They are joined in division three of the May milk league by Centenary Thurles and North Cork Creameries.

It was expected that Dairygold would be bottom of the league for May, but, in a surprise move, the co-op announced to suppliers last Friday that it was changing its protein to butterfat ratio for milk payments from 1.63:1 to 1.5:1.

Tirlán, Lakeland Dairies and Arrabawn Tipperary are now the only remaining co-ops not paying for milk on a 1.5:1 or 60:40 ratio.

Dairygold said it made the change on the basis of higher returns for butterfat-based products, specifically butter.

Despite dropping milk price by 14c/kg MS in May, the four west Cork co-ops continue to be the highest paying co-ops in the country.