Positive moves for milk link at the dairy event
Milk Link, the UK's third largest integrated dairy business, had a busy two days at The Dairy Event at Stoneleigh Park this week. This included being involved in the launch of Dairy UK; Jeremy Pope, Milk Link's chairman, giving a keynote speech at the Spotlight on Profit Forum; members reaching the final of the Quality Milk Awards, and the celebrating of the passing of a major milestone for Milk Link Finance.
On Thursday Dairy UK, a new industry-wide initiative was launched. Dairy UK aims to promote collaboration and co-operation inside the Dairy sector. Barry Nicholls, chief executive of Milk Link and board member of Dairy UK says: "At a time when there are considerable challenges and uncertainties facing the whole industry, Milk Link believes that it is vital that the industry is able to speak with a strong and cohesive voice. We therefore welcome the launch of Dairy UK and regard it as an important and long over due step for the industry.
"Dairy UK provides an opportunity to build a new consensus across the dairy industry and develop more collaborative approaches to address the issues it currently faces. We look forward to playing a full and active role in the work of Dairy UK."
Eric and Mary Murley, founder members of Milk Link, reached the final of the Quality Milk Award 2004 after excelling at the first two stages of judging, which included an on-site visit, and received a highly commended award for their milk quality. Mr Murley and his sons work the 190 Jersey herd, to supply consistently high quality Channel Island milk from their farm in Pendeen, Penzance and attribute their high quality results to pre and post dipping at every milking.
There was further positive news for Milk Link Finance. Milk Link has teamed up with Agricredit, the leading farm finance specialists, to enable Milk Link members to access exclusive financial packages for investment purposes. After only twelve months of trading, members have already financed over £1million worth of expenditure. To celebrate, Mark Brooking, Milk Link's membership director, was given a presentation by Agricredit. Mark Brooking said: "Going through the £1 million barrier so quickly has been a great boost especially as the loans have been principally to fund growth and are an indication of the long-term confidence of our membership."
In addition Jeremy Pope, Milk Link chairman spoke at the Spotlight on Profit Forum highlighting the future role of milk co-operatives in the dairy industry. He argued that the only way to restore value to producers is for co-operatives to take a more active part in adding value to their raw material. To create and capture that value for their members and move away from the current mesmeric preoccupation with the first price for milk towards concentrating on the aggregate price achieved for milk.
