Public Funding for First Milk Limited

Over the next 25 years, agricultural productivity in the UK must increase by almost as much as it has over the previous 50 if it is to keep pace with the world's increasing demand for food. But it has plateaued. Meanwhile climate change demands reductions in agricultural GHG emissions, threatens food security, its nutritional quality and the distribution of pests and diseases that affect crops. It's unlikely plant breeding can meet the pace of change needed without delivering considerable technical advances to the marketplace. Those advances may exist within the glasshouses and laboratories of the UK's research organisations. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 has allowed for them to be explored further. England is currently the only country in Europe where this novel material can be grown in farmers' fields. The technology promises to bring a step change in genetics. Wheat with health benefits, with bigger, bolder grain and energy-dense fodder delivering reductions in methane emissions are three examples. Pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance and high-iron flour are close behind. PROBITY is a three-year farmer-led project that multiplies up seeds with these novel properties to batch scale in just three years. It puts the seeds into farmers hands, guided by the scientists who developed them, to cultivate them and build the understanding of the crops that result, teasing out the true benefits for the whole supply chain. It processes the produce into iconic British brands that can be evaluated and so that consumers can judge for themselves what they deliver. PROBITY brings clarity where currently there is uncertainty. It engenders a trusted, transparent space to gather knowledge and understanding, to accelerate scientific progression and genetic advances while minimising the risk of unintended consequences. It gives the supply chain the confidence it needs to encourage their adoption. At the end of the project there will be three market-ready broadacre crops, precision-bred with proven gains for both farmers and society. There will be a farmer-led platform available as a service to help accelerate adoption of new genetic technologies in a safe and trusted environment, with a pipeline of promising traits. The cropping system that evolves and understanding that accrues bring clear commercial benefits in terms of market certainty. Moreover, applying PROBITY to novel crops will ensure a resilient farming system in which knowledge and technological progress advance together.

Biofoundry Energy Limited (BE) is developing a novel pathway for green hydrogen synthesis from wastewater derived from the dairy sector. The technology will support a sustainable and affordable transition of the dairy sector to net zero by production of low cost and sustainable green hydrogen. The project will deliver improved productivity and sustainability in advanced and high value dairy production and manufacturing. The project will bring energy security and accelerate the path towards net zero in the Cumbria, South and West of Scotland region. The project will boost local capabilities and supply chain to be involved and benefit from the infrastructure development for net zero. The project will be delivered in collaboration with University of Strathclyde and IBioiC. This will enable collaboration between business and academic researchers to help further develop and translate research towards commercially relevant impact and wider societal outcomes. The proposed technology would enable the milk processing companies to meet their energy needs by the waste utilisation, thereby embedding circularity in their processes and offering a low cost pathway to reach net zero. As the technology scales, the surplus production of hydrogen could be provided to the local community as a local, affordable and green energy source.

The UK Processors and Growers Research Organisation will lead this ambitious national research programme with 200 UK farms and 18 partners to design an environmentally transformative, economically sustainable arable rotation system to optimise crop rotations for climate benefit. UK farming accounts for 10% of the UK's total GHG emissions p/a (46.3 MT), 68% of total UK nitrous oxide emissions, 47% of total methane emissions and 1.7% of total CO2\. Arable cropping significantly contributes to these figures, utilising 596,496T of Nitrogen fertiliser p/a. Existing emission estimates are for individual crops, and the impact of these in successive rotational cropping remains unquantified. This project will investigate three opportunity gaps: (i) replacement of 20% of national grain crops with pulses and legumes rotations to establish a net zero farming pathway, (ii) the nutritional and financial feasibility of replacing feed grains (currently representing 70% of the UK grain market) with legumes in 30% national livestock feed and (iii) create a market for this additional yield. The proposed system outputs would contribute to UK Net Zero goals with a total potential reduction of 1.5MT CO2e p/a of the maximum potential 2.8MT for UK agriculture (Defra Agri Climate Report, 2021) in the following ways. * Removal of 233,000T of nitrogen fertiliser and 0.55MT (CO2e) - a 1.2% national reduction - by increasing pulse and legume cropping areas to the rotational optimum of 20% (1M Ha) across UK farms. * Use of subsequent produce in animal feed substitution (replacing 50% of imported soya meal) delivering a further 0.7MT CO2e reduction. * Delivery of a residual N benefit to following crops, leading to an additional 0.25MT CO2e (0.5%). * Delivering a national cost saving to farming of £1032M p/a, by removing 20% of N fertiliser across UK growers and 1.8MT soya imports respectively from the UK farming supply chain. * A policy tool that leads to the adoption of more measures and cost-effective solutions for reducing agricultural GHGs that fit with the farm business' (source: Defra Agri-Climate Report, October 2021). * A set of farmer and grower case studies that can be used to educate and inform the national farming community of the environmental and financial benefits of the research solution. We propose a technologically and financially accessible system for farmers/growers to achieve 100% uptake of a nationally resilient and sustainable food system. Secondary benefits will be the reduction of carbon footprint associated with the domestic replacement of 1.8MT of soya imports p/a.

**VISION** Creating 624 jobs and £64M p.a. additional GVA, the Digital Dairy Value-Chain will deliver an uplift in the rural economies of Cumbria and South West Scotland. It will develop a world-class research, innovation, business and skills platform to establish the region as a leader in advanced, sustainable and high-value dairy manufacturing. Inclusive, innovation-led growth will also deliver wider societal and environmental gains including reductions in carbon footprints. The project will develop innovative technologies (e.g. sensors, IoT, 5G-communications, blockchain), infrastructure and advanced manufacturing processes to create a fully-integrated and traceable supply chain. It will generate new opportunities to optimise manufacturing, develop new products and markets, and valorise consumer concerns around dairy production. **GEOGRAPHY** Spanning national boundaries, Cumbria and SW Scotland produce 1.9bn litres of milk annually. As the UK's second largest milk producer, dairy manufacturing is an important source of economic activity and employment. Our geography is remote and rural. Regional GVA is well below the national average, high-value employment opportunities are limited and business innovation activity is patchy. The impacts of BREXIT and changes to agricultural support will be significant. This project focuses on AgriFood manufacturing, sustainable exploitation of natural capital, and digitalisation; all are priorities for regional growth. With 63% of our local authority areas having a negative prosperity gap there is significant untapped human capital. Social inclusivity goals cut across our activities particularly focusing on advancing opportunity for young people and women who are under-represented in dairying, STEM and business innovation. **NETWORK** We draw on an impressive network of world-class research capability (SRUC; University of Strathclyde; University of the West of Scotland); technology innovation centre (CENSIS); regional and multi-national dairy-processing companies (First Milk, Lactalis, Arla, Kendal Nutricare, Appleby Creamery); SmartSTEMs; and technology businesses (Lely, Seric, North). The project is backed by strong support from civic leadership. **OBJECTIVES** The project will: * **Develop digital connectivity.** Establish the region as a beacon for digitally-connected, value-added milk processing. * **Stimulate R&D.** Facilitate access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise, catalyse collaborative R&D and commercialisation of innovative products and processes. * **Facilitate business growth.** Provide business support and facilities for early ventures, scale-up businesses and established companies to undertake New Product Development (NPD) and process improvement. * **Attract talent and skills.** Foster a talent pipeline that advances opportunity and enables industry to exploit new technologies and market opportunities. This project leverages investments in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, Ayrshire Growth Deal, and Cumbria's Food Enterprise Zone.

Dairy production and processing are key industries for many rural areas in western Britain, converting human inedible feeds into valuable components of healthy varied diets and contributing to the sustainability of rural communities. Dairy production has the lowest carbon footprint of all of the ruminant production systems that can utilise the UK's grasslands for food production and so we focus on improving technical efficiency in dairy production and processing. The project addresses some of the key concerns of consumers and retailers of milk and dairy products, who need to be reassured about the environmental footprint and animal welfare standards of dairy production systems. It will develop new tools to provide consumers, retailers and processors with verifiable information about the environmental footprint and animal welfare standards in dairy production systems. We will use monitoring technologies, including environmental sensors, animal-mounted sensors and camera technologies that are already being used by farmers to manage technical aspects of their systems, such as feeding and fertility. We will avoid prejudging the potential of different technologies and start out by working with any equipment that is already being used commercially, or is about to be commercialised. By relating this information to manually recorded information, using advanced machine learning techniques, we will be able to develop new algorithms to provide indexes of environmental emissions and cow welfare in ways that are both easier, cheaper and more reliable. Our objective is to identify predictors of a few key common indicators for both environment and welfare aspects that can contribute to accepted farm assurance standards and reassure consumers. We will work with progressive dairy farms across the main UK dairying regions to ensure that relationships are robust and to provide a platform for demonstration and extension to other farmers. After BREXIT, the UK may have new opportunities to export or replace imports of high-value dairy products; development of such products is built on a solid foundation of verifiable quality in aspects such as environmental footprint and cow welfare.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.

This project is will deliver a step change to the capability of milk processing technology at Nestlé. It will deliver consistent high quality output, irrespective of the specification of the incoming milk. The Nestlé plant at Dalston in Cumbria has developed a number of innovative processes to produce a variety of milk powder based products. A key element is the processing of milk solids and in particular the extraction of protein to create the an optimum end product. This project will explore the complex process control system and identify the interaction of milk composition on the performance and efficiency of the system. Using inline composition analysis instrumentation integrated with the control system, the project will deliver a system producing consistent ‘in-spec’ product which automatically compensates for milk quality and optimises the use of the milk and other raw materials and minimises the current high levels of waste including rework, scrap product and excess labour and energy charges.