Leon
Louwrens Smit visits Elsenburg!
Hi, Dairy Friends
Louwrens Smit from our head office gave us a surprise visit this week and helped us to get the Elsenburg Dairy Lab. closer to our ISO 17025 accreditation goal.
Louwrens you are a great guy and thanks for your help!
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
Wensleydale cheese is unique.
Hi, Cheese Fans
Having had the privilege to have had real Wensleydale at a London Expo back in 2000, I must agree with this article on protecting uniqueness. Please read it here:
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1692337
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
Froth on your coffee?
Hi, Milk Fans
There is a new article posted on the homepage at http://www.dairy-info.org/ about the factors that prevent milk from frothing.  This will be of interest to coffee shop owners as well as the guys supplying them.
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
Does this mean the end of milk recording schemes?
Hi, Dairy People
If you are part of a milk recording scheme you should check out this new research:
http://www.farminguk.com/bsp/10130/ews.asp?DBID=103-281-013-098&iPage=1&id=4659
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
Alternative for Alfalfa
Hi, Dairy Farmers
Here is some research that you should keep an eye on:
http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=27166&cat=NMTOPSTORIES
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
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Report on UK market for value-added milk.
Hi, Milk Fans
British dairies are increasingly targeting the value-added milk for growth opportunities as they re-align their businesses and move away from commodity products. New product launches and increased investment are factors behind sales to expand by about 30% a year.This new report by Organic Monitor analyses the organic milk, functional milk, and flavoured milk segments. Although organic milk and flavoured milk comprise most revenues, the functional milk market is showing the highest percentage growth. Functional milk sales escalated in 2005 due to the successful launch of Saint Ivel Advance. Marketed as ‘clever milk’, the milk is fortified with omega acids from fish oil.
Organic milk comprises most revenues in the value-added milk market. Sales have been soaring since scientific research found organic milk to have superior nutrient content than non-organic milk. Some retailers have reported sales growth in excess of 50% in 2005 as consumers increasingly buy organic milk because of its health benefits.
Of all the product segments, flavoured milk has the highest retail penetration. Fresh flavoured milk sales are expanding as retailers launch new products under their private labels. Expanding sales channels is also a major driver as manufacturers target the catering & foodservice sector.
High growth rates are attracting new entrants into the value-added milk market. Apart from British dairies, large food companies like Nestlé and Unilever are coming into the market because of the growth potential and low barriers to market entry. The organic milk market is receiving low interest however because of supply-demand imbalances. Supply shortages is causing organic milk to be imported once again after years of oversupply.
This report gives market & competitive information on the value-added milk market. Market sizes, revenue forecasts, and market trends are given for each product segment. Competitive information includes market shares and profiles of leading producers and retailers.
For a complete index of this report click on:
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/f24e5c/the_uk_market_for_valueadded_milk Â
Kind regards, Leon the Milkman
Preservatives the enemy?
Hi, Food fans
Saw something on the tele last night about consumers going on about preservatives. Well, being in the food industry myself and knowing that the average food product in the USA travels about 1500 miles to its market, I would say preservatives are essential 😉
Also considering that daily we are destroying forrests to make place for agricultural land and offices and residential areas, we must realise that as we get to be more and more the quality of our food will suffer, right?    They have to stretch what we have, and that will bring down quality.  No, I’m not being dramatic, find some soil comparisons from the 60’s on micro-nutrients and compare them to the quality of agricultural soil today – and people – plants do not make micro-nutrients, they get them from the soil 😉
Yes, well, I can write a whole lot on this topic!
Goodday to you,
Leon the Milkman
Big dairy farms are getting bigger
Hi, Dairy Farmers
It seems there is an international trend towards bigger dairy farms. If you want to read the impact and the reasons, click the following link:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10393734
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
Irish Dairy Growth
Hi, International Milk Fans
The Irish Dairy Industry is up for a big growth spurt – read how they will go about it here:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=190490802&p=y9x49y5x8&n=190491562
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman
Heat Wave and cows
Hi, Dairy Farmers
Here is an article on how cows are influenced by heat wave:
http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=66D1BD78-9BFE-4710-81C2-756D8E331A0C
Kind regards,
Leon the Milkman