Golden Hooves shares Impact Report 2025, with call for Regen to stand up and be counted

First Milk, the farmer-owned dairy co-operative behind regenerative food and drink innovator, Golden Hooves, has revealed the results of its Impact Report for 24/25, packed with new and powerful evidence that real change is happening on the ground. At the heart of the regenerative revolution, from soil to shelf, Golden Hooves has the data to back up its mission, letting results speak louder than words.

Among some of the most exciting results detailed in this year’s Report, is the potential of a 78% increase in soil carbon sequestration, up to 203,000 tonnes CO₂e - the equivalent of planting a staggering nine million trees – as well as a decrease of 3.4% in the carbon intensity of the co-op’s milk. With data collected rigorously from all corners of the business, including over 700 family-run farms, Golden Hooves is committed to prioritising biodiversity over flowery words, and carbon reduction over hot air, allowing its hard data and award-winning products to do the talking.

Launched just two years ago, the Golden Hooves range of regenerative cheese, butter and crackers has scooped an incredible 50 taste and quality awards. This includes the UK Supreme Champion trophy for its Vintage Cheddar at the Global Cheese Awards last month, one of the biggest prizes in cheese, and accolades at Great Taste, the British & Irish Cheese Awards, International Cheese & Dairy Awards, Virtual Cheese Awards, Farm Shop & Deli Awards and the Royal Welsh Show.

First Milk member farms currently take in over 360,000 trees, 5,564km of hedgerows – greater than the distance between London and New York – and rotational grazing of cows on 48,000 hectares of land, up 54% since 2024. With a 6% increase in land within the co-op’s regenerative programme year-on-year, up to 89,977 hectares, which would be comparable to 125,000 football pitches, even more of Britain’s landscape is now able to benefit from the First Milk programme. This year will see its members delivering a whopping 326,000 individual regenerative interventions on their farms.

Balancing people, planet and profit, the co-op has also delivered 7,916 hours of colleague training, and raised £26,000 for Dementia UK, while working to ensure that 100% of purchased electricity comes from renewable sources, and zero waste goes to landfill from its three manufacturing sites.

Leona McDonald, director of Golden Hooves, commented:

“This year’s Impact Report is hugely exciting, as it is not just as a reflection of the progress we’ve made, but a springboard for the future. We now have the data to show that regenerative farming delivers real benefits for farmers, nature, and consumers alike. Golden Hooves gives us license to celebrate this progress out loud – bringing food lovers great products, real stories, and proof that fantastic flavour and fantastic farming go hand in hand. With momentum building and more recognition coming our way, the numbers show that regeneration is here to stay. So look out for our hoof – it is proof that the product you are buying is 100% deliciously regenerative – and join the Regen Revolution!”

As excitement around regenerative farming continues to build in the UK, shoppers can now find Golden Hooves products at some of the nation’s largest and most respected retailers, including Waitrose, Ocado and Booths, as well as at independent retailers across the country, and online at thecheesemarket.co.uk.