Leading Welsh organic dairy co-operative Calon Wen is looking to increase its output by offering financial incentives for farmers to switch to organic milk production.

Launched in 2000 by four farmers, Carmarthenshire-based Calon Wen Organic Milk Co-operative has grown to become one of the UK’s leading organic brands with a group turnover of approximately £12.5 million.

The company’s dairy-product arm produces the popular Calon Wen branded milk, butter, and cheese, which are sold in independent and multiple retailers across England and Wales. 

Calon Wen is forecasting a minimum flat rate price of 50ppl for 2025/2026 with no seasonality deductions and is looking to recruit established organic producers and farmers considering converting to organic dairying.

The co-operative has 25 organic dairy farmer members spread throughout Wales, producing around 20 million litres of milk annually. Calon Wen has strict criteria: the milk its members supply must contain 4% butterfat and 3.15 % protein, with a Bactoscan count below 50 and a Somatic Cell Count (SCC) cell count below 300.

Calon Wen's Managing Director Dai Miles, a dairy farmer, said, "We take a regenerative organic approach that focuses on soil health and the full farm ecosystem. Therefore, as we approach our 25th anniversary, we are very confident in the future of organic dairy farming and buoyed by consumer demand for organic dairy products. 

"As a business, we have to plan for the future. Many of our members are now second-generation organic farmers, but others are looking to retire, and therefore, there is an opportunity for new recruits to the co-operative – whether established organic farmers or those looking to convert - to keep our loyal consumers well-serviced with Calon Wen's organic milk and dairy products."

As part of its recruitment drive, Calon Wen is offering incentives to farmers considering converting to organic milk production and enlisting existing members to help with the process.

The co-operative is introducing an in-conversion loan scheme for recruits, and also an incentive for members who successfully recruit a new farm.

Dai said, "We understand some farmers may be concerned about the cost of converting to organic production – especially as there isn't currently any government support available. Therefore, Calon Wen will offer them an interest-free loan of 2ppl towards the cost of their last year of conversion, with the loan to be paid back during the first two years of production.

"Furthermore, Calon Wen is committed to supporting our members through the conversion process. We are offering our extensive agricultural expertise and in-depth knowledge of the organic sector to make the necessary changes as easy and seamless as possible for our farmers."