The giant Dutch co-op FrieslandCampina has moved this week to better reward its suppliers if they can become more environmentally friendly and get milking cows grazing more grass.

Under a Sustainability plan called ‘Foqus’, with effect from 2015, co-op suppliers will be paid milk price bonuses in order to help achieve co-op environmental targets set out in a 2020 plan.

Points will be awarded to suppliers under six key headings:

(1) Biodiversity.

(2) Environment.

(3) Climate.

(4) Energy.

(5) Animal health.

(6) Animal welfare.

The level of premium paid will depend on the overall volume of milk supplied and points gained. As part of the scheme, suppliers are not allowed to spread composted materials on land and farmers with a phosphate surplus must use a fertilizer recycling tool.

Grazing bonus

FrieslandCampina has also decided to extend its existing outdoor grazing policy in 2015 and increase the bonus for grass milk. Depending on the number of days at grass, a Dutch farmer could earn up to €120 per cow of a milk price premium if she is let graze outdoors. A smaller premium, closer to €40/cow, is available for a cow that is half in and outdoors.

Money for the premiums outlined above will come from a statutory deduction on all milk supplied which equates to about €48 per cow for the typical 8,000 litre Dutch cow.