The move sees Mossgiel Organic Dairy take on the three new farms as direct milk suppliers, driving the sustainable farming business’ expansion.
Founded in 2015 by Bryce Cunningham, out of frustration with an “unforgiving” dairy industry dominated by mega-dairies, Mossgiel’s expansion will help grow its operational capacity by 10%.
Auchlea Farm in Kingswells, Aberdeen; Wester Manbeen, just south of Elgin, Moray; and Connage Highland Dairy in Ardersier, on the Moray Firth near Nairn, are all now part of the organic dairy firm’s portfolio as ‘sustainable’, direct milk suppliers.
According to Mossgiel, taking full, independent control of its milk pool will allow the team to expand even further across the UK.
“For too long, our industry has just ticked along with the same system, same rules, same outcome; the slow death of small farms,” said Cunningham.
“We’ve spent years proving there’s another way, and now we’re stepping fully into that space, not just shouting from the sidelines, but taking it on directly.”
He continued: “At Mossgiel, we live by Burns’ words: ‘Dare to be honest and fear no labour.’ What’s happening now hasn’t been easy, it’s been messy, pressured, at times near impossible but it’s also been driven by a growing community of people who’ve chosen not to accept the status quo. Taking on these farms is the next step in that journey.”
Mossgiel’s claim to fame is its so-called “low and slow” bespoke brewing method, which focuses on a gentle, low-temperature pasteurisation process to better preserve the milk’s natural structure, flavour and cream.
The firm is also known for flexing its green credentials and was the first dairy in the UK to go single-use plastic-free in 2019, delivering in glass bottles and reusable containers.
Auchlea Farm’s Allan Clarke commented: “We’ve been producing organic milk for more than 25 years, and this partnership allows us to keep doing what we believe in.
“I’ve long admired what Bryce and the Mossgiel team have built. They’ve flown the flag for independent dairies like ours and proved there’s a better way forward. We’re proud to be part of that journey and to work with a Scottish business that shares our values.”
He added: “As milk buyers get bigger, producers lose connection and collaboration in the race for efficiency and lower costs. That model simply isn’t sustainable, especially for organic farming. Joining the Mossgiel Collective gives us the chance to build something fit for the long term.”
