Dairy processors must ensure to encourage the right type of milk producer to continue

Picture: Richard Clothier

Many agricultural pundits have got it totally wrong in that contrary to their predictions it will be the more astute, efficient ,asset-rich dairy farmers will quit first, rather than the inefficient producers who have no choice but to 'plough on', says Richard Clothier, marketing director of Wye Farms independent farmhouse cheese makers at Bruton in Somerset..

Speaking at the sponsors presentation at Nantwich Show, he said dairy processors must ensure to encourage the right type of milk producer to continue, for the best quality milk, larger unit size, giving efficiency of scale to preserve the home market and compete in a world price market.

Dairy farmers are under serious financial pressure and many are ceasing milk production or plan to do so over the next year, he warned.

"There is a trend amongst agricultural advisers at present to compete to be the most depressing and predict the worst industry disaster – believe me, coming from a farming family, I can tell you that farmers don't need anyone to depress them. This is a danger as it will accelerate industry contraction, when the true picture is possibly much brighter," said Clothier

"As dairy farmers we have larger unit sizes and lower costs than many of our European neighbours and we have the opportunity to supply a UK dairy market that values our produce."

He said the Wyke Farms brand was the only nationally recognised provenance 'type' with a full farm-to-plate story. AC Nielsen reports that the brand was the fastest growing brand over the last 12 months at 35%, making us the 4th largest brand leapfrogging both Anchor and Horlicks.

The current wave of consumer interest in how food is produced gave rise to more questions than ever before about farming and manufacturing techniques.

"Our family farming structure gives us a massive advantage in the eyes of the consumer. Over the next year you will see us using this positive advantage in national consumer magazines and regional television, said Clothier.