How to Calculate Raw Milk Quality Premium and Supports?
In dairy farming, not just the quantity of milk, but its quality is a determinant for business profitability. Milk prices determined by the National Milk Council (USK) are based on specific fat and protein ratios. A "composition difference" is applied for milk that goes above or below these values, while additional premiums may be given by industrialists based on the hygiene quality of the milk (Somatic Cell Count).
USK Milk Price and Difference Calculation
For 2026, USK base prices are determined for raw milk containing 3.6% fat and 3.2% protein. For every 0.1 point (1 decime) change in these ratios, an addition or subtraction is made to the price. In January 2026, a decime difference is applied as 33 kuruΕ (0.33 TL). If your milk fat is 3.8%, you earn an extra quality premium of 2 decimes (0.66 TL).
Why is Somatic Cell Count (SHS) Important?
Somatic Cell Count is the greatest indicator of udder health and milk quality. Factories generally classify milk below 400,000 SHS as "Quality" or "Class A". The lower the SHS, the higher the cheese yield of the milk. Many milk processing plants pay significant quality premiums per liter for SHS values below 200,000 or 100.000.
Ministry Raw Milk Supports and Coefficient System
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry continues the support model in 2026. Various coefficients are added onto the base support amount (0.20 TL):
- Disease-Free Businesses: This group receives the highest support. They can receive additional payments of up to 3 times the base support (coefficient 3.0).
- Women and Young Producers: Additional support is provided with a +0.3 coefficient to encourage production.
- Family Businesses: A +0.3 coefficient is applied to protect small-scale family businesses.
- Milk Basins: Regional support of +0.4 coefficient is given to production in specific areas.
Tips to Increase Profitability
The way to increase milk price is not just through increasing fat/protein with ration changes. At the same time, it is necessary to keep SHS low by protecting udder health and benefit from Ministry supports at a maximum level by obtaining a disease-free business certificate. Recording every milking data with digital tools like SΓΌrΓΌPlus helps you identify which animal is lowering the quality.