UK – Müller, a leading dairy company in Europe best known for its range of yogurts, has launched a new program to bolster sustainable dairy farming in the United Kingdom.
Through the program, Müller says it will provide farmers with tools and support to help further improve supply chain collaboration, herd health and sustainability.
Called Müller Advantage, the UK-based program, aims to help up to 600 Müller Direct dairy farmers operating “successful and progressive enterprises”, by addressing a number of issues.
These include managing and further reducing the use of antibiotics, sustainable sourcing of animal feed, reductions in energy and water use, recycling and enhancing biodiversity.
Participation in Müller Advantage will be incentivised, providing farmers with the opportunity to earn an additional 1.0 pence per litre in 2021 (equivalent to £15,000 for a 1.5 million litre per annum producer).
According to a statement from the company, Müller Advantage will also incorporate the Müller Next Generation initiative, which is aimed at developing the skills of young farmers.
The program which was launched two years ago targets young farmers who possess three years’ experience on the farm with the potential to create thriving dairy businesses and is currently seeking its second cohort.
Rob Hutchison, COO at Müller Milk & Ingredients said: “We aim to be Britain’s private label dairy leader and to get there, we need to be the partner of choice for our customers, farmers and suppliers”.
“It is crucial that we build on progress already made to date, which includes, for example, a 30% reduction in antibiotic use. With Müller Advantage, we’re confident that farmers, customers and consumers will benefit,” he continued.
With the new Advantage program, Müller says participating farmers would also continue to have the opportunity to reduce their exposure to volatile market conditions by placing a portion of their milk supply against fixed prices and futures contracts.
The unveiling of the Müller Advantage program comes at a time when losses at the UK and Ireland arm of German diary giant continue to decline.
According to recently released financial results, Müller UK recorded a loss of £76m (US$92.08 million) for the 12 months to 31 December 2019, compared to a loss of £100m (about US$121 million) in the prior year.
Despite of the improvements, the dairy company committed to its £100m cost-cutting drive and announced back in June that it planned to cut more than 200 permanent jobs and close its Foston Dairy site in Derbyshire.
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