Emma Metcalf-King and Annie Graham with local farmers
Sainsbury’s has today launched its Dairy Development Group in Northern Ireland in a move which will strengthen the partnership between the supermarket and the local milk sector. This group will consist of a dedicated pool of farmers producing milk specifically for Sainsbury’s stores in Northern Ireland. Sainsbury’s currently sources 5.5million litres of milk annually in Northern Ireland.
Sainsbury’s will be signing up nine dairy farms to the scheme which will see them receive support from the supermarket in a number of key development areas. The farmers will receive ongoing support in Herd Health and Husbandry, including fully funded regular veterinary visits and milk recording. This will enable members to benefit from improvements by targeting farm specific needs. Farms will undertake an annual carbon footprint measurement, with support offered on identified areas for improvement. The initiatives are all supported by the provision of farm business hardware, software and training – an extension of the Sainsbury’s Farm Connections scheme.
Each of the initiatives have been developed in conjunction with dairy farmers, to ensure that they are achievable, meaningful and tailored to each individual farm. The Group also discusses initiatives for the future. One area for the future development also highlighted by dairy farmers is the utilisation of cull cows and black & white bull calves, to help fulfil Sainsbury’s British beef requirements.
Annie Graham, Head of Sustainability, Agriculture and Health at Sainsbury’s said, “This initiative which is already in place in England, Scotland and Wales will allow us to help producers support on-farm costs by focusing on innovation and efficiency as well as strengthening existing partnerships.
“Through their participation in the group, members will receive support in the form of a quarterly payment on top of their milk price. This is in addition to the investment in the on-farm initiatives, which are funded by Sainsbury’s.”
This initiative by the supermarket chain is being supported locally by the United Dairy Farmers Group.
Andrew Nethercott, Group Commercial Director said, “The number of farmers chosen is representative of the volume of milk sales in Northern Ireland Sainsbury’s stores. The nine farmers will select a representative who will sit on the UK steering group. We look forward to further strengthening the partnership between Sainsbury’s and the NI dairy sector.”
The Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group in Northern Ireland is due to be in place by early September.
