Henning Pülsch, who is involved in the working group of young milk producers, sees a clear advantage in this broad positioning of the DMK Group. "There are other dairies that specialise in just a few products, which is something that I view critically, especially in such a volatile market with fluctuating prices. I'm convinced that this broader approach promises better collaboration in the long run. I'm a realist: I'll probably never get the highest milk price, but I'll never get the lowest either. For me, DMK has the best value chain." He also appreciates that DMK's value-added programmes make it easier for him to adapt his farm to meet requirements for better animal welfare and sustainability. 

Agnes Greggersen

This is also emphasised by Agnes Greggersen, who runs a family business in Schleswig-Holstein. A few years ago, she switched to GMO-free feed for her 130 dairy cows. "During this transition and certification process, DMK supported me by helping to overcome bureaucratic hurdles. For me, using GMO-free feed is a part of sustainable farming. Another advantage of DMK is that I can choose, as a farmer, which value-added programmes I participate in. We don't currently meet the requirements for Tier 3 welfare standards, but I find it very interesting and am considering investing in my barn so that we can meet these standards." 

Sascha Blaiks

Sascha Blaik's farm is already certified for Tier 3 welfare standards – during the transition, he felt he had professional advice thanks to DMK's field service. "The comprehensive support we receive during the transitions on the farm is a unique feature of DMK, enabling us to achieve a higher milk price and also improve the image of our farm. We only needed one audit for this, i.e., just one inspection, because we had already avoided genetically modified feed beforehand. Tier 3 welfare standards mean we are much better prepared, for example, when it comes to visits from veterinarians, because we're encouraged to do more self-monitoring and are thus better equipped."

Ingo Köhrmann

Ingo Köhrmann from Bassum in Lower Saxony particularly appreciates the fact that DMK is a modern cooperative that relies on digital tools to make work easier. He uses DMK's online platform, "myMilk": "This allows me to receive a push notification on my smartphone in the barn, which keeps me up to date on the quality of the milk I delivered the night before. That way, I can immediately adjust my cows' feeding. It's fantastic." Ingo Köhrmann also praises other digital solutions that DMK offers for quick information and communication. "Among other things, the fixed-price model comes to mind, which is very practical and gives us the opportunity to secure prices for a year. 

Siegfried Schwager

Low bureaucratic hurdles and a stable milk price – that's what convinces Siegfried Schwager from the Karbow Agricultural Cooperative in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. "When I look around the region, I see a clear advantage in being a farmer member of DMK. In my opinion, the bureaucratic requirements for milk collection are low, and all suppliers receive the same milk price. That's not very common elsewhere. And, of course, I understand what it means to be part of the largest dairy cooperative, with its diverse collection areas and varying conditions."