When giving is made easy.

"Svend" (svend) 07/23/2016 at 17:15 • Filed to: None

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Here in the U.K. we’ve had some issues with milk farmers, because the export market for milk has slowed it’s meant farms are over producing compared to present day command which has dropped the price of milk.

Last year there were some ‘peaceful’ protests by farmers in supermarkets up and down the country as some even brought a cow and walked it in some stores to highlight the situation.

Ironically some did it in the stores that buy their milk from a milk farmers co-operative who pay the farmers a fair price for the milk.

The price has been starting to creep up again but the company I work for does 2.272litres/4pints for whole milk (full fat) for £0.95 (USD$1.25) but also do a ‘farmers whole milk’ which is the same milk but for £1.20 (USD$1.57) with which an extra £0.25 (USD$0.33) goes to the farmer for the milk.

It’s only a small thing but it’s good to support the farming community as much as you can even if it is only a selecting what milk you buy.

Tareim - V8 powered > Svend 07/23/2016 at 17:18

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those protests caused chaos in my town as they ended up blocking 1 of the main routes in and out of the town

My citroen won't start > Tareim - V8 powered 07/23/2016 at 17:21

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That’s kinda what protests are meant to do, causing inconvenience is a great way to bring a problem to the spotlight.

Svend > Tareim - V8 powered 07/23/2016 at 17:27

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I found it more funny. Farmers protesting outside our store, etc... when those stores are supplied by ARLA who buy their milk from a farmers cooperative. Sort of like ‘hey, why are you protesting about not being paid a fair price when we pay you a fair price, we know this because it’s what we agreed on?’.

Where I am our farming community was greatly affected by foot and mouth, so many farms lost their whole livestock, some farmers committed suicide, etc... so I’ll happily pay extra if it’s going to go to the farmers.

Tareim - V8 powered > My citroen won't start 07/23/2016 at 17:33

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yeah I get that’s the point but why should everyone have to suffer for a small group?

Tareim - V8 powered > Svend 07/23/2016 at 17:35

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I already pay enough for my milk, but that’s because I have to get the lactose free stuff so end up paying a bigger premium than people who get normal milk

My citroen won't start > Tareim - V8 powered 07/23/2016 at 17:36

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Because most humans only care about something when it affects them directly, if the farmers stood on corners giving people pamphlets, no one would bat an eye.

Tareim - V8 powered > My citroen won't start 07/23/2016 at 17:39

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there was enough coverage on the local news giving it attention when the protests were smaller

Svend > Tareim - V8 powered 07/23/2016 at 17:46

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Fair point well made sir.

Though thank goodness for lactofree milk. If I was lactose intolerant and there wasn’t any thing such as lactofree I’d go crazy. I love a pint or two of milk from time to time.

Chinny Raccoon > Svend 07/23/2016 at 17:49

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The farmer’s cooperative (If it’s the one I’m thinking of) isn’t as good as it should be to say the least. They are way behind the curve in marketing and finding outlets other than just sticking it in a bottle or bulk sales.

My parents are dairy farmers and were lucky to get out when they could- they were stopping the premium paid to Channel Island Milk producers.

Now with a small family owned dairy who know how to market it, both with doorstep deliveries- they still have a massive electric float fleet, but most of it is sold for various ethnic markets. Still don’t want to pay enough for it though, but it’s a healthier position that many small Black and white farmers are in. There are a lot of small farmers giving up, especially if they don’t have a younger family member to take over the business.

We’re unusual in that we’re expanding, with diversified milk projects and in the process of putting in a much larger parlour and production facilities. Got to look to the future- my two brothers need something to do!

Svend > Chinny Raccoon 07/23/2016 at 17:55

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Well done and I hope all goes well for your family.

Many people think the farmers have it easy but farmers are always living on a knife edge and that’s a shame. Where would we be without farmers.

I’m not sure of the name other than it’s a farmers cooperative that ARLA and Muller get there milk from.

xyzabc > Svend 07/24/2016 at 08:32

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If Farmers charged the total actual costs of growing Crops / Dairy / Livestock, milk would be $20.00 a gallon.

Svend > xyzabc 07/24/2016 at 09:05

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Not quite, here in the U.K. it's very complicated system of taxes, subsidies and buying and selling.