Farmer Phil hopes to be milking success

May 23 2008 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

Farmer Phil hopes to be milking success

A CHESHIRE farmer has launched his own brand of milk in Sainsbury’s stores.

One litre pouches of milk, labelled Precious, are now available in branches throughout the country.

Phil Latham, who runs Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, co-founded the Contented Cow Company with Nantwich farmers Adam and Louise Johnson.

The RSPCA-approved Precious milk is sourced from herds of cows that are housed comfortably and allowed to roam freely around the farm.

Phil explained: “It’s all about the cows. The cows are continually monitored and husbandry adjusted to ensure they are happy and healthy. To put it simply, we believe a contented cow produces better quality milk for everyone to enjoy.

“Farmers supplying the milk use a more holistic approach to husbandry that focuses on improving a cow’s wellbeing through better nutrition, mineral sources and omega 3 oil supplements.”

He added: “The new functional, yet stylish packaging is a robust jug that stands in your fridge and, once used, flat packs in your recycle bin.”

The launch of the new milk brand follows recent animal welfare campaigns from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver.

The Contented Cow Company has attracted a degree of industry recognition with Louise Johnson being awarded the Cheshire Women In Rural Business award from the Rural Enterprise Gateway.

Phil Latham has been selected for the final eight in the Farmers Guardian ‘Made In Britain Farm Entrepreneur’ award and The Contented Cow Company has been shortlisted in two categories in the Food Northwest Awards.

Phil, whose equestrian centre will become a 2012 Olympic training camp, is actively engaged in diverse ways of farming.

He said: “It’s part of trying to work out, post subsidy, ways of finding genuine markets as farmers now have to find customers of their own.”