Milk Link members demonstrate dedication to milk quality
The winners of the prestigious Milk Link Milk Hygiene Awards 2010 for excellent hygienic standards in milk produced in April 2009 to March 2010 have been announced. First place prizes went to N J & C A Pyle from Devon in the producing less than 500,000 litres per year category and M/S F E & D K Jenkin from Cornwall in the producing more than 500,000 litres per year category.
Both winners achieved outstanding annual results: N J & C A Pyle achieved an exceptional bactoscan result of 7.8 and a cell count of 68.8; whilst M/S F E & D K Jenkin achieved a bactoscan result of 8.2 and a very low cell count result of 68.6.
Second place was awarded to Symes Partners, from Somerset (less than 500,000 litres per year category) and D E & C M & M D Hurford, from Devon (more than 500,000 litres per year category). Whilst R A & G E Harvey from Devon and M/S M Green & Sons from Somerset were awarded third places in the less than 500,000 litres per year and the more than 500,000 litres per year categories respectively.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Milk Link has held its Milk Hygiene Awards to recognise the dedication of Members who attain the highest standards of milk quality. All the winners were invited to attend Milk Links AGM where they were presented with their cheques and plaques by Milk Links Chairman Ronnie Bell and the sponsors National Milk Laboratories, GEA Farm Technologies and Johnson Diversey.
All finalists showed remarkable achievement and consistency over the previous 12 months. Every applicant went through a detailed selection process to win the awards, achieving outstanding bactoscans (always below ten) and low cell count results ranging from a rolling average of 27 to 100. Standards of cleanliness, tidiness, attention to detail and animal welfare were outstanding at all farms.
Ben Bartlett from National Milk Laboratories, the primary sponsor, was impressed by the presentation of the farms, commenting: National Milk Laboratories is pleased to be the primary sponsor of the Milk Link Milk Hygiene Awards this year. Once again the top Milk Link Members, in terms of milk hygiene, have demonstrated what can be achieved with diligence and constant attention to detail. The herds reaching the top ten rankings are performing well above industry averages in terms of both somatic cell counts and bactoscans. It is clear that there is no magic bullet for achieving the levels sustained by these finalists, but it is simply a case of establishing the right working practices on the farm and then adhering to them.”
Phil Cork, Membership Manager for Milk Link, said, As with previous years, Milk Link Members have shown that they produce the highest quality milk in the country, which is why we are so proud to have these farmers as Members of Milk Link.
We would like to congratulate all the finalists who have demonstrated that consistent attention to detail is the key to success.
Milk Link
- Milk Link is one of the UKs leading integrated dairy businesses, owned 100% by British dairy farmers. It manufactures a complete portfolio of dairy products including cheese, long life milk, creams, flavoured milks, and milk powders supplying most major multiples and the food service sector.
- Milk Link exists to provide long-term security for its dairy farmer Members.
- Milk Link is the largest cheese producer in the UK supplying Cheddar, Stilton and British regional cheeses to the retail, food service and ingredients sectors. It employs over 1,000 people at six cheese and dairy processing facilities at its Taw Valley Creamery, Devon; Tuxford & Tebbutt Creamery, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire; Reeces Creamery, Malpas, Cheshire; Llandyrnog Creamery, North Wales; and Lockerbie Creamery, South West Scotland, plus a large, modern consumer packing facility in Oswestry, Shropshire.
- Milk Link has a number of leading dairy brands including Tickler Extra Mature Cheddar, Moo Organic, Lockerbie and Cadog and other brands under licence: Flora Pro Activ milk and Mars flavoured milk drinks.