A leading dairy analyst has predicted Victoria is on track for a record year of milk prices, based on early high prices offered by processors.
Several processors have increased their opening prices, most notably Colac's Bulla Dairy Foods, which is now 30 cents kilogram/Milk Solids on its mid-April offering.
Saputo Dairy Australia also raised its price last Friday, three days after opening, from $6.65 to $6.85.
Read more: Dairy processors' milk price battle
Fresh Agenda director Steve Spencer said several factors had contributed to these price adjustments but a major one was Bega's opening price being significantly higher than the other processors.
Bega's purchase of Lion altered the dynamics of processors having to publish as full as possible an opening price, as well as affecting the assumptions made about how competitors would act.
Bega has offered Riverina and northern Victorian farmers a weighted average price of $7/kg MS, with southern producers on $6.80/kg MS.
Most southern Victorian and SA suppliers would recieve an opening price, ranging from $6.50 kg/MS to $7.05 kg/MS, while in northern Victoria and the Riverina it would range from $6.70 kg/MS to $7.15 kg/MS.
Bega's opening price for northern suppliers is 45 cents higher than this time last year, while southern prices have increased by 40c.
"If [milk price] differences are revealed that expose a vulnerability, a response is warranted," Mr Spencer said.
He said Bega's strong opening price was a result of it becoming a very different business.
"It's now the largest buyer and showing leadership in pricing [due to] changed milk requirements in digesting Lion, which has altered its approach to pricing across regions," he said.
Mr Spencer said despite higher milk prices eating into product margins, and processors funding them through their balance sheets, it was still likely to be a record year for Victoria.
"The Dairy Code of Conduct probably urges companies to go for as full an opening as feasible, in balancing their risks," Mr Spencer said.
"There are some processors, however, that have less risk of vulnerability to market movements that compete with those that do.
"Have we seen the end of it? Probably - nothing should surprise me, but we are certainly at the stretch of underlying commodity value of milk plus a margin."
He said some processors could afford more, but most couldn't,unless the market surged higher
"Not many would be prepared to take a punt on big things like the A$," he said.
Competitive market
Rabobank Senior Dairy analyst Michael Harvey said another revision of prices, prior to the season starting, was indicative of the milk pricing landscape.
"Companies are providing early price signals to help with planning and budgeting, but it is a very competitive market for milk and dairy companies need to meet the market," Mr Harvey said.
"It is a good reminder just how quickly the market for milk is evolving given the removal of Murray Goulburn's important role as cooperative price discovery mechanism."
He said while the weighted average prices already announced were not at record highs, they were a close second.
"This is a real positive for the sector as it will ensure good profitability for many farm businesses, when coupled with good seasonal conditions and affordable inputs," Mr Harvey said.
"Rabobank has modelled a milk price of $6.90 kg/MS for 2021/22.
"Given official milk prices are around this level, it does indicate there is less room for step-ups as the season progresses unless the global market outperforms expectations."
On the downside, it did leave dairy companies with a need to manage the risk as the season got underway, given they were locked in at these levels.
"The global pandemic was far from over, and there were still risks ahead for the global market especially this early out.
"But we did see the companies manage the risk well last year."