Müller looks to more herd health and welfare improvements

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

Farmers will be able to opt in to the Müller Direct Premium 2020.
Farmers will be able to opt in to the Müller Direct Premium 2020.

Related tags Müller Milk

Müller Direct farmers in the UK are being offered the opportunity to earn an additional payment worth 1.0 pence per liter in 2020.

The Müller Direct Premium 2020, which all Müller Direct farmers can opt in to, will be available to those who commit to continually improve herd health and welfare standards, and end the practice of euthanizing healthy bull calves on farm.

The Müller Direct Premium 2020, will run from January 1 to December 31, with the 1.0ppl premium based on full compliance by farmers on all four initiatives. They are:

  •     The practice of euthanizing healthy bull calves on farm must end by December 2020, unless supported by the farm’s veterinary surgeon.
  •     To undertake a Müller Direct Farm Insight Programme, an on-farm health and welfare assessment which provides benchmarking, advice and potential savings.
  •     To take part in the Müller Direct Antibiotic Programme, designed to manage and reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.
  •     To adhere to the National Johne’s Management Plan, which aims to control and eradicate Johne’s, a chronic disease with affects cattle.

The premium will be paid in a lump sum in January 2021, and would be worth £20,000 to a 2m-liter-per-annum producer.

Rob Hutchison, milk supply director for Müller Milk & Ingredients said, “For the industry to move forward, we must continually evolve to ensure we’re aligned with the needs of our customers and consumers. We buy a fifth of all milk produced on Britain’s farms, so we’ve got a real opportunity, and responsibility, to encourage our suppliers to make positive changes.

“Müller Direct farmers are already hugely passionate about the welfare of their herds, but we’re confident that by participating everyone will reap the rewards. Apart from the obvious financial gain, farmers will benefit from potential improvements to the health and welfare of their herd, as well as benchmarking and additional expert support.

“We will benefit by being able to evidence aggregated herd health data with customers who don’t currently have a direct relationship with farmers. We’re confident that this package of initiatives will put our business and supply farmers in a strong position.”

The dairy company has already launched initiatives including the introduction of a fixed price contract option and opportunities for farmers to access dairy futures markets.

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