To date 78 projects have been approved under the Dairy Collect scheme, which enables dairy farmers in Cornwall to expand their milk storage capacity and farm access by providing up to 40 per cent of the cost of improvements.

The scheme is a project part funded by the European Objective One programme and DEFRA. Milk Link was instrumental in the development of this scheme and a number of Milk Link's members have already had their successful applications completed.

One such member is Peter Denton who, in partnership with his family, farms 402 acres in Lostwithiel. Before their application, the Dentons' tank capacity was at 8,000lt and with 260 cows, every day collection took place for six months of the year. However, with Peter's business plans to increase cow numbers to 400 within two years, production was calculated to hit levels of at least 17,000lt every other day.

Work at the Dentons' Trevenning Farm has now been completed and included the installation of a 19,000lt tank with a water heater, an ice builder and a plate cooler to improve cooling efficiencies. To support the working of the larger tank, the electricity supply has been upgraded. The total project cost was £59,663 with a Dairy Collect contribution of £23,865 (40 per cent).

Peter now receives an additional volume bonus due to his move to every other day (EOD) collection 12 months of the year, whilst also saving £6,093 a year on his electricity and water bills due to increased cooling efficiency and resource reuse. The support which Dairy Collect provided was central to the successful completion of Peter's business plans.

Another Milk Link member who has benefited from the scheme is Jonathan Nightingale, who farms near Wadebridge and was previously unable to maintain EOD collections all year round for his 250 cows. With the help of Dairy Collect funds, a larger bulk tank has been installed which means Jonathan can now increase cow numbers and improve milk yield to an 8,000-litre average per cow. Due to these changes, Jonathan saves an estimated £1,200 per year by being able to maintain EOD collection. The increased volume bonuses paid by Milk Link are another benefit.

Milk Link is a strong advocate of the Dairy Collect scheme, which has to date paid out £1.2 million out of the total available of £2.2 million. For any Cornish dairy farmer looking to expand and improve their business, I would definitely recommend that they look into the funding available from Dairy Collect.

All applications must be received by December.

Anyone requiring more information on the criteria and how to apply can call the Dairy Collect team on 01872 322 889 or email dairycollect@cornwallenterprise.co.uk n Read Phil Cork online at www.southwestfarmer.co.uk