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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to pay more for my milk?

172 replies

hillyhilly · 21/01/2015 22:10

I don't want to screw British farmers but aside from a farm shop, I genuinely don't know where I should buy it.
I try to buy organic where possible and generally buy from Aldi though I do top up at Morrison's and Sainsburys local stores
I've looked for a facebook page but the one I found is not as active as it should be given the current focus.

OP posts:
Grumpyrealist77 · 21/01/2015 22:16

It's disturbingly cheap!
I'd gladly pay double the pittance it is now...
Poor farmers, there's no living to be had anymore.

Aeroflotgirl · 21/01/2015 22:17

I don't mind paying more at all.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 21/01/2015 22:18

Same here

kewtogetin · 21/01/2015 22:19

I had this dilemma today, in the end I opted for yeo valley organic milk. It might not make a jot of difference but there's a disturbing lack of information on milk packaging about where the milk actually comes from.

peppapigonaloop · 21/01/2015 22:19

I was thinking exactly this the other day.. would much rather pay more.. What are we going to do when the supermarkets have put all the dairy farmers out of business?! Don't understand why milk is the thing that they fixate a price war on?

FarFromAnyRoad · 21/01/2015 22:19

I'd also pay more - happily so - but where to go? The Co-Op has the most expensive 4 pint bottle I've ever seen but I rather suspect that the extra 35p isn't going to the farmers!

cozietoesie · 21/01/2015 22:19

I'd pay more if the farmers got more. Much of the dairy industry is going to give up if the prices remain as they are and there are other economies I can make if needed.

babyhammock · 21/01/2015 22:23

It's not just that the farmers can't earn a living wage, it's also impossible to provide decent welfare in any shape for the cows at those prices :(

Tinks42 · 21/01/2015 22:27

Do you think it would be ethical to buy a cow and keep it in my back garden?

asmallandnoisymonkey · 21/01/2015 22:27

I've had this issue lately and I've recently discovered there's a milk man in my area. So I'm going to order my milk from him.
I feel SO bad for farmers these days. People are always after the cheapest they can get and it's actually putting people out of business and ensuring the welfare of the animals is not the first thing on anyone's mind.
I'm all for a bargain but not at that cost.

Selks · 21/01/2015 22:30

There should be a Fair Trade milk campaign.

NomDePrune · 21/01/2015 22:30

Milkman. 85p a pint, on my doorstep, all weathers, mon weds and fri.

SaucyMare · 21/01/2015 22:32

I use a milkman as it means i always have milk on my breakfast, and surely they can't be paying the farmers a pittance on those prices

allpassionspent · 21/01/2015 22:37

Yes I would pay more for milk. I don't want dairy farmers to be driven out of business and cows kept in poor conditions.

Angry that supermarkets are claiming that customers just want low prices.

MinceSpy · 21/01/2015 22:40

Is giving up milk an option? I'm not trying to be offensive.

Chottie · 21/01/2015 22:42

I have a milkman too, 85p a pint on the doorstep on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. When I first married, the milkman used to deliver 7 days a week.

I rarely buy milk from the supermarket, but I would happily pay more.

DanyStormborn · 21/01/2015 22:43

YANBU, I'd happily pay more for milk.

unlucky83 · 21/01/2015 22:55

Sure I heard on the radio they only needed to be paid an extra 10p per Lt to break even... Surely the majority of people could afford that....4pts a day would only be £1.40 a week.

I find this really upsetting my grandparents were small farmers (dairy and eggs) who were forced to sell their land (compulsory purchase order) almost 30 yrs ago. And they were finding it tough then. Strongly advised us not go into farming. It must be even harder now. I really do think farming is in the blood - I still feel a sense of loss and regret as do my siblings.
Also these prices are forcing farmers to increase 'efficiency' to such an extent that dairy cattle are so intensely bred for milk production that the male calves are considered 'waste' -not worth even trying to fatten up to produce beef...even rose veal - better to pay someone to shoot them at birth. (Why there is no point being a vegetarian who consumes dairy IMO)

I don't understand why the supermarket think we want cheap milk...my coop (local shop) are doing 2 x 2L for £1.50...local spar similar price - I just hope the shops are taking the 'loss' on the special offer not the farmers...

Haggisfish · 21/01/2015 22:58

I'd check where the milk man sources his milk from though. My milk man used wiseman dairies, so same as many supermarkets but at twice the price!!

Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses · 21/01/2015 22:59

YANBU.

Milk costs approx 68p per 4 pints to produce.

Marks and Spencer's, Tesco and Sainsburys pay around 72-78p for 4 pints. These are good places to buy your milk (and everything else).

Morrissons, Asda, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland pay around 56-59p. These are very bad places to buy milk. They are basically robbing the farmers.

I really hope that this campaign takes off this time. It's scandalous the way the supermarket treat farmers.

Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses · 21/01/2015 23:00

I'd check where the milk man sources his milk from though. My milk man used wiseman dairies, so same as many supermarkets but at twice the price!!

This is very true. Your milkman doesn't get it from Blossom the local Jersey down the road. Usually.

Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses · 21/01/2015 23:02

the male calves are considered 'waste' -not worth even trying to fatten up to produce beef...even rose veal - better to pay someone to shoot them at birth.

Beef prices have really improved over the past few years so pretty much all male calves will be kept and fattened.
What you're talking about was mainly post BSE/foot and mouth. Dark days :(

Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses · 21/01/2015 23:04

Search on Facebook 'I'm happy to pay more for milk' if you're interested in supporting the cause. There's a petition on there.

AllBoxedUp · 21/01/2015 23:09

I've switched to organic this week - I hope it means someone gets paid a fair price and think it's higher welfare. I would really like to pay more for milk. YANBU

Tinks42 · 21/01/2015 23:15

I have personally never known a "poor" farmer, but then who am I? Just a bit more subsidising and all will be well.