Cheese and Milk Business: How to Deliver High-Quality Dairy Products
The UK is a nation of dairy lovers. Be it milk, cheese or yoghurt, we are consuming it daily. The figures speak for themselves: 96% of adults buy milk and 94% admit being lovers of cheeses.
Needless to say, the dairy industry plays a significant role in the UK. The sector produced around 5.1 billion litres of milk in 2023 so delivering high-quality dairy is a priority for farmers and associated businesses.
From maintaining sanitation standards to employing sustainable livestock practices, there is a lot that the profitability of your dairy business depends on.
It’s a starkly competitive industry so it’s important to consistently provide quality products to your customers.
Here are some areas you should be focusing on when refining your production line and working to stand out from your competitors.
Hygiene and sanitation
Adhering to sanitation regulations will ensure that your hygiene practices are up to scratch. These regulations are in place for a number of important reasons, including protecting consumers from bacteria that could enter the production line and cause significant health consequences.
During milking and handling, operators must wear clean clothing. Any equipment used during the milking process, including hands and forearms, must be thoroughly rinsed down before and after.
Quality livestock care
Cows should be subject to humane and quality livestock care techniques, including having nutrient-rich diets and hygienic living conditions. Poor standards of living and inhumane treatment can impact the standard of dairy products.
You should move away from confined livestock practices towards sustainable, pastured systems that prioritize livestock welfare wherever possible. These allow animals to move freely, graze and express natural behaviors, and appeal to popular consumer attitudes.
Efficient milking techniques
Milking efficiency and animal welfare have a circular relationship when it comes to product quality. The healthier the herd, the more milk produced that can be manufactured in sellable products, so optimizing your supply chain should be a priority.
Keep a close eye on the udder health performance and milk yield of the cows in the herd and always consider the long-term effects of any changes.
Cutting corners today might increase milk production initially but it can make milking harder in the future and is more likely to lead to quality assurance concerns.
Insurance
Unexpected accidents happen during everyday manufacturing and obstacles in your supply chain can significantly impact the manufacturing process. This is where insurance comes in.
Checking whether you have the right level of food and drink manufacturing insurance can help to reduce the impact of unexpected issues with contamination, spoilage, and the like.
With operational interruptions minimized, you have the peace of mind that your business’s reputation is secure against third-party claims.
