Jonny Slack, a 36-year-old dairy farmer at Dolphenby Farm in Cumbria, expresses his fondness for mornings at the farm where he tends to around 500 cows. His routine typically starts at 5 am with milking and ensuring the cows are well-fed and content until around 8 am when breakfast follows.
Dolphenby Farm supplies milk for Nestlé’s Nescafé frothy coffees produced at the nearby Dalston factory, just 20 miles away. Jonny emphasizes the significance of high-quality grass and soil in ensuring cows produce top-grade milk. Cumbria’s expertise in grass cultivation allows their cows to graze on it for extended periods throughout the year.
Jonny and his farm co-manager, Robert Craig, attribute much of their achievements to the longstanding partnership with Nestlé and First Milk, a British farmer-owned cooperative. Robert highlights the unique and well-funded relationship between First Milk and Nestlé, aiding them in transitioning towards regenerative practices.
In recent years, Dolphenby Farm has prioritized soil health and biodiversity, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers for a more regenerative farming approach. Jonny stresses the importance of regenerative farming, emphasizing the interconnectedness of farming with nature, soil, animal welfare, and community well-being.
While Robert comes from generations of farmers, Jonny, though not from a farming background, has established his mark in the industry. Starting as a cowman at 16, Jonny has progressed to a stakeholder at Dolphenby, where he now resides with his wife, Lucy, and their three-year-old daughter, Neave.
Jonny appreciates the farm life for children, noting how Neave enjoys her new pet sheep and engaging in farm activities. Lucy, who works off the farm, plays a crucial role in supporting Jonny, highlighting the family-centric nature of farming as a continuous commitment beyond conventional working hours.
When enjoying your morning Nescafé Latte, remember that the milk originates from UK farms like Dolphenby, where cows graze on nutrient-rich soil, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and locally sourced dairy products.