Kategorie: News

Research from the universities of Newcastle (UK) and Kiel (Germany) shows that milk from Jersey cows grazing on a mix of grass and clover contains 70 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than milk from cows fed grass clover silage. If the cows graze on grassland that contains many herbs, the amount of omega-3 fatty acids increases by 15 percent compared to a sod of grass and clover. The ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in this milk is also better for humans. Too much omega-6 displaces the body’s absorption of omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids protect among others against cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.

On the island Jersey in December on one farm in a few days more than 100 of the 120 dairy cows died. Now authorities state that this is probably caused by botulism.

In Wales the private dairy Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd will investment 12.5 million British Pound (14.2 million euro) plus five million BPS (5.6 million euro) subsidy from the Welsh government in a new milk bottling facility. The plant will create 80 new jobs. Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd will source its milk from local family farms to fulfil the 70 million litre capacity of the new processing facility.

In the United Kingdom Arla UK, the UK’s biggest dairy cooperative, is calling on the government to collaborate with the food industry and dairy farmers of Britain to support their sustainability journey. According to Arla UK farmers and food industry need the support and collaboration of the government and wider industry to accelerate their actions and produce sustainable food for the future of Britain. They need government consistency, more support on decarbonisation and an attractive labour market that ensures the food industry is an attractive career of choice for the next generation. If we can take a combined effort to act now, British farmers will thrive in putting quality food on the table for years to come, according to Arla UK.

In the United Kingdom despite record global sign up to Veganuary this year, consumer appetite for vegan products fell short this January with a decline in retail volume sales of both meat-free and dairy-free alternatives. Analysis show over a million fewer households bought meat-free products compared to last January, and 280000 fewer households bought dairy-free. This drop in households purchasing alternatives led to a fall in year-on-year volumes with meat-free sales falling by 12.9 percent and 2.6 percent for dairy-free, in the first three weeks of January 2023. At the start of the month seven percent of shoppers said they were committed to taking part in the annual event, encouraged by heavy instore promotions and an array of new product offers. By mid-month as many as 70 percent had returned to their normal diets, with 40 percent claiming it was too expensive. This softening in demand is not new to 2023, there has been overall volume decline in the last 12 months for both dairy and meat alternatives.

In the United Kingdom the government has introduced the Animal Health and Welfare Review which will help fund improvements to the health and welfare of dairy cattle through annual vet visits and grants to improve livestock conditions. Dairy farmers can now receive funding for a vet visit to carry out an annual health and welfare review. Vets will carry out diagnostic testing, review biosecurity and responsible use of medicines, and give advice on their animals‘ health and welfare. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway will also include a disease eradication and control program offering farmers financial support to prevent and reduce endemic diseases affecting livestock, such as veterinary advice, vaccination or improvements to on-farm management.

The Ireland based Glanbia plc and the USA headquartered Leprino Foods Company have signed a non-binding agreement for Leprino Foods to acquire full ownership of Glanbia Cheese, comprising Glanbia Cheese UK and Glanbia Cheese EU. The original Glanbia Cheese Limited joint venture was established between Glanbia and Leprino in 2000. It is expected that Glanbia plc will receive initial cash consideration in excess of 160 million euro (inclusive of repayment of shareholder loans) for the sale of its stake in Glanbia Cheese, with the possibility of additional contingent consideration of up to 25 million euro over the next three years, dependent on business performance. Glanbia Cheese has three manufacturing facilities: Llangefni in Wales, Magheralin in Northern Ireland and Portlaoise, Ireland as well as a corporate office in Northwich, UK. Glanbia Cheese is exporting to over 30 countries around the world. It has a total of 500 employees. Glanbia Cheese EU is located in Portlaoise, Ireland. It was established in 2018 and commenced production in 2021. Leprino Foods is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world, with 5000 employees products are available in over 55 countries.

In Ireland a study of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) shows that to realize net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 the number of ruminant livestock has to be reduced 30 percent, 875000 hectare of trees have to be planted and 90 percent of the drained organic soils has to be rewetted.

In Denmark the number of cows that is crossing the border of 100 000 kilogram milk production is rapid increasing. In 2022 almost 1000 cows crossed the border of 100 000 kilogram milk production. In 2020 this were 700 cows, in 2019 500 cows and in 2018 350 cows.

In Denmark on dairy farms with at least ten cows the average number of cows is 250 head. About a quarter of the farms have up to 120 cows, a quarter 120 to 190 cows, a quarter 190 to 310 cows and a quarter has more than 310 cows. Only one percent of the Danish dairy farms has more than 1200 cows.

In Sweden because of a strong decline in consumption of organic milk and increasing production costs of organic milk in 2022 the four biggest dairies lost 13 percent of their organic milk supplying dairy farms. In numbers this were 66 farms. Most of those farms have changed to regular milk production.

Sweden had in 2022 a number of 2800 dairy farms, 800 less than in 2017. In 2022 together they kept 29700 cows or average 106.

In Finland the government has announced a new law for animal welfare that will ban building new dairy barns where cows are tethered.

The Norwegian dairy cooperative Tine has in 2022 reduced the use of plastic by a total of 250 tons. This was possible, among other things, by switching from plastic trays to bags for all grated cheese. To further reduce the use of plastic, Tine introduces yogurt in cardboard packs, instead of plastic cups. This will reduce the use of plastic for yogurt packaging by 85 percent.

Spain has limited the size of dairy farms and also beef farms to a maximum. New dairy farms and farms that want to expand are allowed to keep a maximum of 850 cows or large livestock units. Calves up to the age of half a year count as 0.2 livestock unit and from half a year to two years as 0.6 livestock unit. In Spain dairy farms have an average of about 65 cows.

In France three environmental groups have started a lawsuit against Danone over its global plastic pollution. They state that the dairy does not enough to reduce its plastic footprint and because of that is failing its duties under the French law that demands that companies over a certain size assess and prevent the impacts their operations have on the environment and human rights, via a plan. Danone refutes the accusation

The France headquartered and stock market listed dairy Danone targets a 30 percent absolute reduction in methane emissions from fresh milk used in its dairy products in 2030 compared with 2020 and will align targets with the Global Methane Pledge. To accelerate its efforts, Danone launches a new partnership with Environmental Defense Fund. Danone has already reduced its methane emissions by about 14 percent between 2018 to 2020. To realize the reduction, among others Danone will working with farmers to implement regenerative dairy practices and develop innovative solutions.

In France the stock market listed dairy Danone has launched a new research centre that will be dedicated to the development and innovation of Danone’s „fresh dairy and plant-based products“ and „natural mineral water“ categories. It will include laboratories at the forefront of research and pilot production sites for innovation and limited production of specific prototypes. The site currently employs more than 550 people.

In Germany in January 2023 compared to December 2022 the raw material or compound value of milk at farm has fallen 3.1 eurocent to 44.8 eurocent per kilogram milk with 4.0 percent fat and 3.4 percent protein (exclusive VAT). This is 9.5 eurocent less than in the same month one year before. The highest future price of milk for the next 18 months on the Kieler Börsenmilchwert European Energy Exchange is the price for February 2024 until July 2024 at 46.0 eurocent. The lowest future price is the price for February 2023 at 37.1 eurocent.

In Germany a study shows that annual 35 to 38 percent of the dairy cows is leaving the farm. Of the cows 17 percent was leaving during the first lactation, 14 percent in the second lactation, 20 percent in the third lactation and 49 percent in the fourth lactation or later.