Nestlé and First Milk program looks for future dairy leaders

The two-year program will focus on a small group of First Milk farmers supplying to Nestlé’s factories in Girvan and Dalston in the UK.

Throughout the course, the attendees will attend a series of events to learn about dairy industry politics, advanced farm management, financial management and effective communication. 

The farmers will take part in activities to help improve their knowledge of the global dairy industry and give them a greater understanding of the dairy supply chain from field to consumer.

The participants will also get the chance to visit Nestlé’s UK factories to learn about the company’s supply chain and how the quality of their milk impacts production performance.

Challenging times for farmers​

Nestlé says the program forms part of their partnership with First Milk to improve the sustainability of their farms and develop a more sustainable and efficient supply chain while reducing environmental impact.

Mike Gallacher, chief executive, First Milk said: “The launch of the program demonstrates that long term commitment in providing outstanding development for our best young farmers of the future. ​

“This initiative is even more important taking place as it does against a hugely challenging context for UK farmers. It is critical that our future farmers have the best possible training and development so they can step up and compete in what will be an increasingly global and competitive future.​

“First Milk, a company wholly owned by British family farms, is delighted to support this very important Nestlé initiative.”​

Five pillars to sustainability program​

Robin Sundaram, responsible sourcing lead - milk buyer, Nestlé UK & Ireland said: “We are very excited about this new initiative that takes the sustainability journey we are on with our farmers to a new level. ​

“We believe that this will enable our farmers to get a much wider perspective of the dairy industry and importantly the role their milk plays in the Nestlé supply chain.”​

The Nestlé First Milk Partnership comprises 106 farmers in Ayrshire and Cumbria providing fresh milk used in the manufacture of brands such as Kit Kat and Nescafe Café Menu. 

The sustainability program is focused on five priorities: milk quality, lean farming methods (enabling a reduction in GHG emissions), environmental sustainability (soil, water and biodiversity), the next generation of farmers and animal welfare.