British farmer-owned dairy co-operative, First Milk, has today announced that it has agreed a new partnership with dairy manufacturer Yeo Valley Production, which will see it create a new regenerative milk pool.
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. Interested farmers can find out more by visiting the First Milk stand at the Down to Earth South event on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Commenting on the development, Shelagh Hancock, Chief Executive, First Milk, said:
“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. We currently operate the largest regenerative farming programme in the UK dairy sector, and we’re 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.”
Rob Sexton, CEO, Yeo Valley Production added:
“We’re excited to be working with the First Milk team and bringing our experience to this forward thinking and nature positive conventional milk partnership. We are passionate about producing nutritious, affordable foods that are farmed in harmony with nature. This partnership will ensure great farming, producing natural, healthy food, is both affordable and scalable. We look forward to working closely with First Milk and their amazing farmers to nurture and nourish both people and the planet.”
