DAIRY PROCESSOR Müller has put an extra penny per litre on the table to persuade its 'Direct' contract farmers to stop euthanising healthy bull calves on farm.

The Müller Direct Premium 2020, which will run from January 1 to December 31, offers a 1.0ppl premium based on full compliance by farmers on four initiatives:

• The practice of euthanising healthy bull calves on farm must end by December 2020;

• The Müller Direct Farm Insight Programme, an on-farm health and welfare assessment which provides benchmarking, advice and potential savings;

• The Müller Direct Antibiotic Programme, designed to manage and reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics;

• The National Johne’s Management Plan, which aims to control and eradicate Johne’s, a chronic disease with affects cattle.

The premium will be paid in a lump sum in January 2021, and would be worth £20,000 to a two million litre per annum producer.

Milk supply director for Müller Milk and Ingredients, Rob Hutchison, said:“For the industry to move forward, we must continually evolve to ensure we’re aligned with the needs of our customers and consumers. We buy a fifth of all milk produced on Britain’s farms, so we’ve got a real opportunity, and responsibility, to encourage our suppliers to make positive changes.

“Müller Direct farmers are already hugely passionate about the welfare of their herds, but we’re confident that by participating everyone will reap the rewards. Apart from the obvious financial gain, farmers will benefit from potential improvements to the health and welfare of their herd, as well as benchmarking and additional expert support.

“We will benefit by being able to evidence aggregated herd health data with customers who don’t currently have a direct relationship with farmers. We’re confident that this package of initiatives will put our business and supply farmers in a strong position.” said Mr Hutchison.