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Two producers have been appointed to the board of Arla Foods Milk Partnership, driven by a desire to improve the state of British dairying.
Will Hosford has been a dairy farmer for 26 years and has supplied the Partnership for the last seven, farming 500 acres with 320 cows in Melcombe Bingham. Will represents the Partnership in the south west region.
Alistair Jeffery also joins the board and farms at Yattendon Estates at Thatcham in Berkshire, with a 500 strong dairy herd and retail Christmas tree operation. Alistair represents farmers in the south east region.
An AFMP's producer director role includes representing producers at monthly board meetings and communicating board news to members. Attending regional meetings and working closely with representatives of Arla Foods is also a key element.
Will and Alistair were nominated by their region as suitable candidates to join the board after receiving more than 50 per cent of the votes in their region.
Alistair's objective as producer director is to help the expansion of UK agriculture and increase the level of returns back to the producer base.
He said: "Agriculture is one of the few primary industries left in the country and holds an almost unique place in British Society, but in recent years it has lost its shine with the public."
Alistair believes that the downturn in agriculture has now bottomed out and that it will re-establish itself as a core industry.
"Good links between producers, processors and retailers are vital. We are all purveyors of food. We know that retailers have invested heavily in sites, but they are also starting to realise that to gain security of supply farmers have to reinvestment income."
Dorset based Will comments: "We need a market for our milk and it is important to develop a strong relationship with our customers and understand their problems. I feel there is much greater need for transparency in this relationship.
"Dairy farmers need to be open to the potential problems that our customers face. But it's a two way street. Energy costs, for example, have hit everyone.
"Agriculture is one of the few primary industries left in the country and holds an almost unique place in British Society, but in recent years it has lost its shine with the public," added Will.
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