About Us:

Britain's leading farmer-owned dairy business

Driving all of First Milk’s activity is the aim of delivering long-term, sustainable returns for its 2,600 farmer members. To achieve this, First Milk is focused on maintaining its industry leading performance and is working to create a world class, fully integrated dairy business.

High quality milk, cheese and ingredients

First Milk has three divisions: milk operations; a cheese company; and ingredients production. Its members produce approximately 16% of all Great Britain's milk and its cheese company supplies a number of leading retailers with own label cheese, as well as producing award winning cheese brands. The ingredients business supplies a range of customers with whey products and develops innovative new products including pre-biotics.

In 2006 First Milk acquired Dairy Crest’s cheese and ingredients business bringing the Haverfordwest and The Lake District creameries and the Maelor packing station into the First Milk fold. Its operations now stretch across the country with cheese production taking place in England, Scotland and Wales.

Supporting farmers

As a farmer owned co-operative, First Milk puts its members first. It has developed a range of initiatives including First Milk Direct and the First Milk Academy to support its farmer members, helping them to improve their efficiency, quality and standards. Being part of First Milk’s extensive membership gives farmers a stronger voice and greater influence in the dairy sector, plus access to expertise and industry knowledge that helps them to be informed and empowered.

Innovative and forward thinking

Committed to market innovation, supply efficiency and processing investment First Milk is a forward thinking business. It is uniquely placed in the market working across the liquid, cheese and ingredients sectors.

First Milk is working hard to develop the best business model for a co-operative dairy and is looking across the globe to seek out what works and to develop its knowledge base.