On Monday, April 15th 23 milk farmers will receive the LRF Milk gold medal from Crown Princess Victoria at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
To receive the gold medal, it is required that one has delivered milk of the highest quality for 23 years. This year’s 23 medallists are spread across the country, from Monika and Lars Eriksson’s farm in Boden in the north to Jan Johansson in Degeberga, Scania. The size of the farms also varies. Carl Harry and Johanna have the largest farm with 200 cows, compared to Roger Nilsson and Ann-Britt Karlsson in Arvidsjaur who have 14 cows.
Maintaining milk production across the country is important, according to Lars Eriksson in Boden.
– We have very good conditions for milk production in many places here in Norrland. But then politicians must signal that there is a long-term perspective so that farmers dare to invest and commit. The demands for us to be more self-sufficient in food are increasing, so half of Sweden cannot be a blank spot where we only have industries. We also get a beautiful and open landscape with biological diversity instead of biological uniformity. The cow is also vital for keeping life in rural areas. Milk farms provide jobs in several sectors and ensure that the roads are cleared for the milk truck and others, says Lars Eriksson.
Eleven of the medal recipients supply Norrmejerier, nine supply Arla, two supply Falköping dairy, and two supply Skånemejerier.
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