Cumbrian Dairy Farmer Wins National Milk Quality Award

Cumbrian dairy farmer Kevin Barker is ‘best in class having beaten off 2,500 farmers across the country to win a national milk quality award.

Kevin, of Little Broomhills Farm in Orton Road, Carlisle, scooped the Cumbrian regional award for the fourth year in a row in First Milk’s national milk quality awards – and was delighted when he won the national award outright.

Kevin supplies milk from his 60 cows to The Lake District Creamery, which is also enjoying awards success, having been crowned UK Champion Cheddar at the International Cheese Show last month.

A delighted Kevin, said: “To win the national milk quality award is a real honour.  I have always endeavoured to supply the highest quality milk to the Lake District Creamery, so that they in turn, can produce the finest cheddar.

“Clearly we are both on a winning streak, which is great news for promoting Cumbria as one of the finest dairy producing regions in the country.”

Kevin says the secret to his success in producing quality milk, is to do the basics right.  He ensures his milking equipment is kept in good condition and has a disciplined cleansing routine.

“I have been focussed on improving my quality results every year but I didn’t realise they were this good,” he said, modestly.

As well as lifting the National Milk Quality trophy and his certificate, Kevin, has also won vouchers to spend with First Milk Direct, the collective buying group for the business.

First Milk’s farmer representative in Cumbria, Robert Martin, pictured above presenting Kevin with his trophy, commented: “Kevin’s consistent and diligent approach to the quality of milk has been rightly rewarded as the winner of the national award. He is an excellent ambassador for dairy farming in Cumbria.”

 

 

First Milk is the largest farmer-owned dairy business in the UK. Its members’ farms stretch from West Wales to East Anglia and from Central Scotland to the South of England. The company handles approximately 1.8 billion litres of milk per annum from its 2,800 dairy farmer members and suppliers.

For further information, please contact: Jill Coyle, on 0141 847 6884