CUMBRIAN dairy farmers received a pre-Christmas boost with the announcement that dairy giant First Milk will increase its December farmgate milk price.

The farmers' co-operative announced that its member milk price will increase by 1ppl with effect from December 1.

This means that its price on a manufacturing standard litre will increase to 32ppl, including the member premium.

Commenting on the announcement, Cumbrian dairy farmer Robert Craig, First Milk vice chairman and farmer director, said: “We are all acutely aware of the unprecedented cost inflation hitting dairy farmers and impacting on the whole dairy supply chain. Whilst we know that this increase will not cover all that inflationary pressure for our members, it is a welcome move in the right direction.

“We will continue to work hard to mitigate increased costs and, with our customers, to recover them from the marketplace, so that we can get increased returns to our members as soon as we are able.”

Meanwhile the owners' of Lake District Creamery at Aspatria confirmed its commitment to regenerative farming principles as a core part of its net zero 2040 strategy, with the launch of a unique digital tool to capture regenerative farming plans for each of its farmer members, along with an associated bonus payment for members.

Members have been asked to complete an individual Regenerative Farming Plan by the end of March 2022. These plans will detail their current practices and planned changes to reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

To help make this process easier, First Milk has worked with Kingshay to develop a unique digital mapping tool, to enable quick and accurate completion of regenerative plans, providing field-level data.