Jonny Slack, a 36-year-old dairy farmer at Dolphenby Farm in Cumbria, expresses his fondness for mornings. His day typically starts at five in the morning, focusing first on milking and feeding the 500 cows under his care until around 8 am when he takes a break for breakfast.
Dolphenby Farm supplies milk for Nestlé’s Nescafé range of frothy coffees, which are manufactured just 20 miles away at the Dalston factory. According to Jonny, the key to ensuring high-quality milk production from the cows lies in maintaining high-quality grass and soil.
Jonny, along with his co-manager Robert Craig, attribute a significant portion of their success to the longstanding 21-year partnership with Nestlé and First Milk, a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative. They emphasize the unique and well-funded nature of this collaborative relationship, particularly in supporting their transition towards regenerative farming practices.
In recent times, Dolphenby Farm has placed a strong emphasis on soil health and biodiversity, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Jonny underscores the importance of regenerative farming practices, highlighting the interconnectedness of farming with nature, soil health, animal welfare, and community well-being.
While Robert hails from a lineage of farmers spanning multiple generations, Jonny, who did not grow up in a farming family, has carved his path in the industry. Starting as a cowman at 16, Jonny has worked his way up to become a stakeholder at Dolphenby Farm, residing there with his wife Lucy and their three-year-old daughter Neave.
Jonny praises the farm as an ideal environment for raising a child, noting Neave’s enjoyment in caring for pet sheep, feeding calves, and engaging in outdoor activities. Despite Lucy’s full-time off-farm job, Jonny acknowledges her indispensable support and involvement in the family farming business, emphasizing the collaborative and round-the-clock nature of agricultural work.
With every sip of your morning Nescafé Latte, you can appreciate that the milk used originates locally from the UK, sourced from well-nurtured cows grazing on nutrient-dense soil at Dolphenby Farm.