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Arla’s top quality milk producers have been recognised at the annual Arla Foods Milk Partnership milk quality awards, with the Fletchers, Arderns and Coulings winning category awards and beating 1,400 other dairy farmers.
Buxton dairy farmers Jonathan and Caroline Fletcher, who won the medium category with an average cell count of 51,000, went on to win the top accolade for the third year running.
Commenting on his win, Jonathan Fletcher of Dam Dale Farm, Buxton, Derbyshire, said his top quality is down to attention to detail. “We do have some secrets but, the majority of our success is down to paying extra attention to cow comfort and following strict routines.”
Paul Couling, of Haythog Farm, Northamptonshire won the small volume category. He is currently milking 45 British Friesians and believes that keeping a young herd and introducing replacements helps to maintain high quality.
Paul Ardern, of Carlton Farm, Buxton won the large volume category. Paul, who runs the farm along with his brothers Philip and Andrew, said that he firmly believes that keeping the animals and farm clean and tidy, is paramount to his success.
To qualify for the awards AFMP members must have a geometric mean cell count below 130,000 and a bactoscan below 40,000, for the entire milk year with no incidents of antibiotic failures or added water in the milk.
Simon Withers, farm services manager, said: "Good quality milk helps extend its shelf life. Our retail customers know they are getting a top quality product from Partnership farms and can have every confidence in their milk supply from Arla.
"Arla works hard to produce top quality dairy products and AFMP members work hard to supply us with high quality milk. Our annual awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate and recognise those Partnership members who are achieving the highest quality results."
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