Nestle & Fonterra Partner to Establish Brazilian Dairy Standards

With more than 2,200 farms involved, according to the Nestlé press release about the dairy standards partnership, the goal is to improve milk quality, safety and sustainability.

By anyone's estimate Brazil is an important producer of milk; Nestlé definitely understands this and is showing some great long-term thinking by participating.

Sure, there's a profit motive behind it all, but there's also a lot going on to help the farmers, the cows, and the quality, too.

Farmers will be helped to improve milk storage as well as the use and cleaning of equipment.

"They will receive training in basic veterinary skills, as well as training to improve animal welfare and milking parlour conditions.

"Farmers will also be shown how to reduce the environmental impact of their activities by setting up better wastewater treatment and drainage systems.

Perhaps best of all: it's not a small "pilot" project, as It is expected that 2,260 farms will start to adopt the recommended practices by the end of 2012.

All-in-all, it's a win for everyone involved; we wish more companies had this type of forward-thinking. Good work, Nestlé!