our trucks go green by nature

Wyke Farms trial green energy haulage

Volvo FM truck trial providing clean, green transportation at Somerset farm.

Bruton, Somerset; 25th April 2023: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and producer of renewable energy, complete successful trial with Volvo Trucks as they continue to find new ways of reducing carbon and extend EV usage for milk collection and haulage.

Wyke Farms have completed a two-week trial using the Volvo FM Electric truck for milk collections from supplier farms in Somerset and for cheese haulage from the dairy to the maturing stores. The truck, charged from 100% renewable electric generated on the farm from AD and solar PV is capable of operating at up to 46 tonnes gross vehicle weight on 6 axles and equipped with 5 batteries with a range of 300km.

Rich Clothier, managing director and third generation family member at Wyke Farms said: “the immediate benefits include a cleaner, quieter method of delivery, which is especially important for night-time collections” he continues “moving to EV transportation is a significant step forward in our journey to building a carbon neutral future for dairying”.

The plan to move to EV haulage over the coming 18 months, will be another significant milestone for Wyke Farms who have already implemented ground-breaking sustainability practices at both business and industry levels. These include:

Farming: Reduced emissions at both Wyke Farms and their supplier farms with a committed sustainability plan and incentive programme; covering animal feed, land management and energy use as well as regenerative farming and protection of the soil. This is better for biodiversity, soil quality and helps to reduce emissions, bringing the CO2 output per litre of milk to 20% under the national average.

Production: When making Ivy’s Reserve, Wyke Farms minimise waste and packaging, recover heat, filter, and reuse wastewater, and reduce carbon emissions. The overall aim for the company is to achieve Net Zero production.

Green Energy: Made using 100 per cent green energy, with electricity and gas sourced from Wyke Farm’s own self-generated solar power and from biogas generated from farm and dairy waste. The anaerobic digester saves 20 million kilos of CO2 every year, as well as providing a rich natural fertiliser that is used on local farms to displace artificial nitrogen usage.

Conservation: Alongside this work, Wyke Farms work hard to protect and nurture the countryside around the River Brue which runs through the valley. They leave uncultivated areas to wildflowers and other species as well as planting trees and putting up bird boxes and insect hotels.

Offsetting: With market-leading carbon offset partner Climate Pledge The Climate Pledge | Be the planet's turning point, Wyke Farms have supported two high-quality emission reduction projects: peat rainforest protection in Indonesia and solar-energy production in India. Wyke Farms recognise that offsetting is only a temporary solution, and actively seek out all other routes to Net Positivity.

Wyke Farms’ cheese is produced in the heart of the Cheddar making region in Somerset using milk from their own herds that graze the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills and contracted, Red Tractor assured family farms, the majority of which are within a 50-mile radius of the dairy at Bruton. Wyke Farms branded products are available in selected UK Lidl stores and Southwest ASDA and Tesco stores and online at: www.wykefarms.com/shop

For more information, interview and images, please contact: jodie@connectedpr.com

Notes to Editor:

Wyke Farms Ltd is a family run company based in the heart of the Somerset cheddar-making region. The art of traditional cheese making will never be lost on the Somerset farm where the Clothier family have been making cheddar since 1861. Today, Wyke Farms is the largest independent cheese maker and milk processor in the UK producing over 18,000 tonnes of cheddar per year to the same award winning 160-year-old recipe.

Wyke Farms Cheddar is sold throughout the UK and to 167 countries around the world, with retail sales of over £120 million. Wyke Farms is a progressive cheesemaking business that remains true to its roots. The enterprise was established by Ivy and Tom Clothier using the family cheese making recipe and today, their grandsons Richard and Tom now run the cheese making operations with their father John, whilst her other two Grandsons David and Roger run the family dairy farming operations. The four grandchildren share Ivy’s passion for cheese making where flavour, texture and taste are paramount. They believe that this attention to detail is the reason that their cheese has won more awards at national cheese shows than any other.

Wyke Farms are committed to sustainable farming and are proud to be the UK’s first national cheddar brand to become 100% self-sufficient in green energy. Wyke Farms sources all its electricity and gas from both solar and biogas, generated from the farm and dairy waste. The biogas energy is generated from its own anaerobic digester (AD) plant, which saves Wyke Farms over 20 million kilos of carbon dioxide per annum. The company are now Europe’s most sustainable business[1].

They have received national and international recognition for their on-going commitment to sustainability, and have won numerous awards including:

• Food and Drink Federation winner of ‘Net Zero Initiative’ category 2023
• Family Business Top 100 2022
• Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Grocer Gold 2022 finalist
• Footprint Awards 2022 – finalist
• European Business Awards – Environment & Corporate Sustainability Category – European Champions
• The Renewable Energy Association Winner - Sustainability Category
• Insider “Made in the UK” Awards
• Winner of the Grocer Gold Awards – Green Initiative of the Year 2016
• The Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2016
• UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards – Best on Farm AD Project –Winner
• The Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2015 (Winner in Carbon & Energy Management)
• The Footprint Awards – Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (Winner)
• IFE World Food Innovation Awards Winner Best Corporate Social Responsibility Category
• National CSR Awards - Environmental Leadership Award (Winner)
• The Guardian Sustainable Business Awards (Winner in Waste Innovation Category)
• Insider Made in the UK – Green/Sustainable Manufacturer Award (Winner)
• The UK & Biogas Industry Awards for Best AD Plant in the Food & Drink Industry (Winner)

Managing Director Rich Clothier has been recognised for his passion and commitment to sustainability. He has won the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards ‘Personality of the Year’, The UK & Biogas Industry Awards ‘AD Hero of the Year’ and Farmers’ Weekly ‘Sustainable Farmer of the Year’ Award.

www.wykefarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/wykefarms
www.ivys-reserve.com/
www.london1856.com/

[1] As granted by the European Business Awards.