23 June 2023
First Milk & Yeo Valley join Forces to Create ‘Naturally Better Dairy Group’
British farmer-owned dairy co-operative, First Milk, has agreed a new partnership with dairy manufacturer Yeo Valley Production, which will see it create a new regenerative milk pool, visitors to this week’s (21 June) Down to Earth South event heard.
The ‘Naturally Better Dairy Group’ is a collaboration between the two organisations that will see First Milk establish a new conventional regenerative milk pool in the Southwest of England.
Founded on the principles of nature-positive farming, this group will supply Yeo Valley Production with milk for manufacturing great dairy products, with farmers committing to delivering ever better outcomes in terms of animal welfare, climate, biodiversity and local community.
Recruitment for the new group will commence immediately, and First Milk members within the catchment area will also be invited to join.
Speaking at the event, First Milk’s Sustainability Director Mark Brooking explained how the cooperative already operated the largest regenerative farming programmes in the UK dairy sector.
“We already have 700 farmers on the regen journey and are delighted to have agreed this exciting partnership with Yeo Valley Production, which will see us broaden this activity further, demonstrating that great tasting dairy can be a force for good.
“As the Regenerative co-op, we firmly believe that this approach to farming is the way to continue to produce affordable, nutritious food whilst addressing the growing climate and nature challenges we face.”
Mr Brooking said food buyers were interested in how we can sell positive stories and dairy farming done well was a part of the climate solution. “As we go forward, an element of the milk price will be proportioned to this,” he said.
More regen learning at Down to Earth North
Record numbers of visitors attended this year's Down to Earth South Event at Rushywood Farm near Crewkerne, Somerset, home to Neil Baker, who milks 1,800 cows in a fully-housed system.
A second Down to Earth event is being held next month on 6 July in Cumbria following unprecedented demand.
Down to Earth North will be hosted by Mark and Jenny Lee, true converts of regenerative farming, milking 175 milking crossbred cows, which are mob-grazed on a 30–40-day rotation. They graze areas
of silvopasture, have pigs and chickens in the rotation and are reaping the rewards for their herbal leys.
Visitors to Down to Earth North will see first-hand the benefits of regenerative farming on their farm with farm walks throughout the day. There is a whole suite of talks and practical demonstrations on regenerative farming covering everything from the benefits, to what regenerative farming means for different systems, including case studies and practical ways to improve your farm's sustainability.
More information on Down to Earth North, event timings and speakers can be found at projectdowntoearth.co.uk
About RABDF
RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.
More information
Sarah Alderton, farmgatemedia@outlook.com, 07739969198