Lakeland Dairies Celebrates Over 90% Participation in 'Farming for a Better Future' Sustainability Program
Source: The DairyNews
Lakeland Dairies is witnessing an impressive response to its sustainability initiative, 'Farming for a Better Future,' as more than 90% of its milk suppliers have enrolled in the program, thereby qualifying for the cooperative's Sustainability Incentive Payment.
Commencing from January, farmers who have embraced this three-year initiative, spanning from 2024 to 2026, are already benefitting from a 0.5 cents per liter or 0.5 pence per liter payment, as reported by the processor.
A substantial majority of the 3,200 farm family suppliers, spanning Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, have committed to implementing various sustainability measures outlined in the program. To secure the payment, farmers have undertaken specific actions, with a collective total of 12,000 individual measures chosen.
Noteworthy measures adopted by farmers include the utilization of protected urea, the application of sexed semen artificial insemination, calving heifers between 22 and 26 months, milk recording, and the formulation of water quality plans.
Eamon Duignan, member relations manager at Lakeland Dairies, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response, stating, "Well over 90% of all milk supplied to the co-op is now qualifying for the 0.5 cents per liter or 0.5 pence per liter payment." Duignan also emphasized the cooperative's commitment to assisting farmers who have not yet joined the initiative.
Niall McLoughlin, farm sustainability lead with Lakeland Dairies, highlighted the program's multifaceted benefits, including reductions in the carbon footprint of dairy enterprises and positive outcomes for water quality, biodiversity, soil health, and animal welfare. He specifically acknowledged farmers' awareness and commitment to measures such as protected urea and the development of water quality/nutrient management plans.
McLoughlin encouraged further collaboration, stating, "We will continue to work with them on this journey, and I encourage any supplier to contact us if they wish to have a water quality plan developed for their farm." The high participation rates underscore the initiative's farmer-friendly approach, reflecting a collective commitment to making sustainable decisions on farms.
A substantial majority of the 3,200 farm family suppliers, spanning Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, have committed to implementing various sustainability measures outlined in the program. To secure the payment, farmers have undertaken specific actions, with a collective total of 12,000 individual measures chosen.
Noteworthy measures adopted by farmers include the utilization of protected urea, the application of sexed semen artificial insemination, calving heifers between 22 and 26 months, milk recording, and the formulation of water quality plans.
Eamon Duignan, member relations manager at Lakeland Dairies, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response, stating, "Well over 90% of all milk supplied to the co-op is now qualifying for the 0.5 cents per liter or 0.5 pence per liter payment." Duignan also emphasized the cooperative's commitment to assisting farmers who have not yet joined the initiative.
Niall McLoughlin, farm sustainability lead with Lakeland Dairies, highlighted the program's multifaceted benefits, including reductions in the carbon footprint of dairy enterprises and positive outcomes for water quality, biodiversity, soil health, and animal welfare. He specifically acknowledged farmers' awareness and commitment to measures such as protected urea and the development of water quality/nutrient management plans.
McLoughlin encouraged further collaboration, stating, "We will continue to work with them on this journey, and I encourage any supplier to contact us if they wish to have a water quality plan developed for their farm." The high participation rates underscore the initiative's farmer-friendly approach, reflecting a collective commitment to making sustainable decisions on farms.
