Photo: Norman & Margaret Turtle with very able assistant Brian Wilson
Twenty-nine dairy farmers across the UK have received a major national accolade for the quality of milk produced on their farms, with the overall winner being Norman and Margaret Turtle from Clendrie farm in Stranraer.
The 2005 Quality Award was received from First Milk, the UK's leading farmer-owned dairy business, with over 3,500 members producing in excess of 2.2 billion litres of milk every year, which equates to almost 20% of all the milk produced in the UK.
The award reflects not only the consistent high compositional quality of the milk produced on First Milk farms, but also the hard work and dedication of both the First Milk members and their dairy staff, in operating efficient and hygienically first class farm units.
Clendrie Farm, which was a runner up last year, has 180 Holstein Fresian cows and has been one of the premier producers in Scotland for 15 years.
Norman Turtle commented: "It's great to receive recognition for the work that we have all put in on the farm this year. We take great pride in the work we do and the whole team is committed to ensuring that our milk is of the very highest quality and that we run the farm as efficiently and hygienically as we can."
Alan Taylor, Membership Director of First Milk, said: "The idea behind the Quality Awards is to recognise the achievement of our members from across the UK, as well as reflecting the importance placed on high quality raw milk by both our customers and UK consumers.
"My congratulations go to all twenty-nine of our winning members and the staff on their farms. I am delighted that the competition was so high, and this year's results reinforce that our members are amongst the very best dairy producers in the country."
Each farm received a special trophy and certificate from the First Milk Quality Awards.
