The United Nations FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) launched the idea of a World Milk Day back in 2001 when it was asked to propose a specific day on which all aspects of milk could be celebrated. It now provides an opportunity to focus attention and to publicise activities connected with milk and the dairy industry.
The NFU, as part of its mission to support and represent more than 7,800 dairy farmer members in England and Wales, will look to World Milk Day to promote the British dairy industry to shoppers in the UK, along with products like cheese, yoghurt and butter.
So, how can you get involved in World Milk Day?
Members: Show us your #HappyCows
To help enhance consumer understanding of the high welfare standards within the British dairy industry, and to promote the high quality of the milk produced, the NFU is urging members to take part in this industry-wide promotion.
Dairy farmers across the UK are being encouraged to post pictures of their cows, whatever system they use, to demonstrate levels of animal welfare and contentment within UK herds.
The campaign will also link to AHDB Dairy’s thisisdairyfarming website, to help consumers learn more about different dairy systems used in the UK.
On Twitter, use the hashtags #worldmilkday and #HappyCows to show consumers British dairy is a good industry and to remind shoppers that in the UK we produce healthy milk from happy cows – something that resonates at the checkouts.
- Get involved on June 1 and encourage other dairy farmers, friends and other family members to get involved too
- Take a photo of a dairy cow or cows on your farm or take a selfie with them.
- Tweet the photo/s using #worldmilkday and #happycows3.
- Don’t forget to tag @NFUtweets
REMEMBER: Always be wary when you are around cattle. It doesn’t matter how well you know your cows, they can be unpredictable.
More on #WorldMilkDay and #HappyCows:
- How to back British dairy farming
- #HappyCows - how you can get involved
- Video: Paul Tompkins on his #happycows
- A message from NFU dairy board chairman on #happycows
- Championing British dairy – meet Abi Reader
- What are retailers doing to support British dairy?
- Let’s Talk Farming video – join Emma Harrison on farm
- From AHDB: This is Dairy Farming – dairy cow welfare & facts
- NFU blog – Rebecca Veale: Does size matter? The truth about British dairy farming
- The Dairy Roadmap