The ‘13th payment’ pot of £31 million will be paid out on 10 March, and is based on the amount of milk supplied rather than equity investment in Arla.
Farmer owner and Arla Foods Board Director, Jonathan Ovens, said: “The 13th payment is one of many important benefits for farmer owners like me and is particularly welcome as we begin to come out of a difficult year. It enables us to invest in our farms, and also save for the future.
NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes said: "While this comes at a welcome time for Arla members, let's not call this a "bonus". Arla's monthly headline price includes the 13th payment so our members have been paying into this every month last year.
“The 13th payment is something Arla members understand and we accept that part of our investment is kept within the co-operative for future investment. Arla have been open with their members on their investment strategy going forward.
“Last year Defra's official milk price figures for February included the Arla 13th payment which skewed the average milk price upwards. Hopefully lessons have been learned and this mistake won’t be repeated in 2017.”