The winners of the prestigious Milk Link Milk Hygiene Awards 2011 for excellent hygienic standards in milk have been announced for the year April 2010 to March 2011. R A & G E Harvey from Musbury, Axminster, Devon took home first prize in the ‘producing less than 500,000 litres per year’ category. And Messrs M W Nash & Partners from Staplegrove,Taunton, Somerset scooped the top spot in the ‘producing more than 500,000 litres per year’ category. 

Both winners achieved outstanding annual results: R A & G E Harvey achieved an exceptional annual average bactoscan result of 5.1 and a very low cell count of 51.0; whilst Messrs M W Nash & Partners achieved a bactoscan of 10.8 and a cell count of 64.5.

Second place was awarded to I J Dennis,from Holsworthy, Devon (‘less than 500,000 litres per year’ category) and R J Turner, from Hassocks, West Sussex (‘more than 500,000 litres per year’ category). Whilst N J & C A Pyle from Ottery St Mary, Devon and M/S F E & D K Jenkin from Constantine, Cornwall were awarded third places in the ‘less than 500,000 litres per year’ and ‘the more than 500,000 litres per year’ respectively.

This year’s awards also saw the introduction of a brand new category which recognises improvements in hygienic milk quality throughout the year.  First place prize went to Messrs M J and C Stacey from Tavistock, Devon which claimed in the ‘Most Improved Award’.

Messrs M J and C Stacey also demonstrated an impressive improvement in his average bactoscan to 21 from the previous year of 39, and particularly in cell count of which reduced to an average of 140 – down from an average of 248 the previous year.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Milk Link has held its Milk Hygiene Awards to recognise the achievements of Members who attain the highest standards of milk quality. All the winners were invited to attend Milk Link’s Open Member Meeting (held at Exeter Rugby Club) where they were presented with their cheques and plaques by Milk Link’s Chairman Ronnie Bell and the sponsors National Milk Laboratories, GEA Farm Technologies and Diversey.

All finalists showed remarkable achievement and consistency over the past 12 months. Every applicant went through a detailed selection process to win the awards, achieving outstanding bactoscans and low cell count results. Standards of cleanliness, tidiness, attention to detail and animal welfare were outstanding at all farms.

David Horton from Diversey, this year’s sponsor, was impressed with the finalists’ outstanding record of milk quality commenting:  "Diversey are delighted to support Milk Link members in all aspects of quality milk production.  The results this year are outstanding and it’s great to have the opportunity to recognise those who consistently produce the highest quality milk, and also the endeavours made by many individuals to improve aspects of their milk hygiene. This year’s results show what can be achieved with lots of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to the award winners of 2011.”

Phil Cork, Head of Membership for Milk Link, said, “As with previous years, Milk Link Members have shown that they produce the highest quality milk in the country, which is why we are so proud to have these farmers as Members of Milk Link.

“We would like to congratulate all the finalists who have demonstrated that consistent attention to detail is the key to success.”