Creamerysupportfor dairyfarmersin dale

Mark Casci Agricultural Correspondent

YORKSHIRE’S dairy farmers are preparing to make substantial investments in their businesses through the support of one of the country’s top cheese manufacturers.

The Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes is now taking milk from more than 50 farms across the dale and pumping more than 11m a year into the local economy through milk payments, wages and purchases.

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The news comes as the creamery seeks to bolster tourism to the area as it continues its multi-million pound expansion of its visitor centre.

One of the farmers benefiting from the supply link is third generation farmer Kenneth Banks.

Mr Banks was one of hundreds of farmers who found themselves with no market for their milk last year when the Dairy Farmers of Britain co-operative collapsed.

Luckily, however, he was able to find a new outlet in the shape of the nearby creamery at Hawes and is now preparing to nearly double his herd as a result.

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Mr Banks also plans to install a new milking parlour and tank for the milk he produced for the creamery – investments that seemed unthinkable just 18 months ago.

He said: “Landscape and tradition mean that farms in Wensleydale are mostly small family-run operations. And it is important to the economic sustainability of the dale that the Wensleydale Creamery is supporting farms like ours.

“It is through our supply contract with the Wensleydale Creamery that we have been able to invest in the future of our farm. We have further ambitions which involve expanding the dairy herd.”

Mr Banks runs Hargarth Farm alongside his father James at Newbiggin and will now increase his herd size from 40 to 70. The new milking parlour equipment will allow the Banks to milk up to 16 cows at one time – double the previous number.

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The news comes in the same week that a National Farmers’ Union survey showed improving long-term confidence in the dairy sector – with more farmers feeling optimistic about their future after years of low prices.

The NFU is currently applying pressure to retailers to increase their milk price via its Dairy Contracts Campaign, designed to increase the fairness of relationships between farmers and milk buyers, as it seeks to stem the tide of farmers leaving milk production – reported to be as high as two a day.

Wensleydale Creamery managing director David Hartley said: “The lie of the land in the Yorkshire Dales National Park helps create its unique and stunning beauty.

“But it also dictates that the farms in the Wensleydale area are small operations compared to the national average and that is why the Wensleydale Creamery is so proud of and dedicated to its support of local dairy farms and the surrounding rural economy.

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“Our milk suppliers group comprises more than 50 businesses, many of which have been in business for several generations just like J W Banks and Son.

“We are delighted that Kenneth and James Banks, as suppliers to the Wensleydale Creamery, have the ability to push forward with their ambitions to expand their herd and look forward to working with them in the future.”

The Wensleydale Creamery is also currently seeking to give its cheese the same status as champagne and Parma ham by obtaining Protected Designation of Origin Status from the European Union.

The application is currently being reviewed by European Community officials with bosses at Wensleydale hoping to find out of they have been successful in the coming months.

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Earlier this year, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb obtained Protected Designation of Origin status after a lengthy campaign.

The Yorkshire Post has teamed up with the creamery to campaign on its behalf to gain PDO status. If granted, it will mean no food producer outside of the picturesque dale will be able to call a cheese Wensleydale cheese – providing solid legal protection from impostors.

The creamery recently began a multi-million pound expansion to its visitor centre which attracts more than 200,000 people a year. As well as the visitor centre, the base includes a museum, viewing gallery, specialist cheese shop and licensed restaurant.

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