Mar 2025
A path to profit and sustainability
This case study report, along with a series of short films, describes the journeys five farmers are making towards financially and environmentally resilient dairy farming. It reflects the different reasons that motivated them to transition, which range from improved work-life balance to build a resilient farming system for the next generation. However, they also reveal that transitioning to a regenerative system makes financial sense and is a business decision.
The farmers include organic and non-organic, tenants and owners, those with a multi-generational association with their farm and a relatively new entrant. This report is a companion to WWF-UK’s 2025 report Regenerative Dairy: Modelling the Transition Costs for Farmers in the UK, which models the impacts on cash flow transitioning to more sustainable practices for three dairy farms. The findings from the case studies and the economic model work well together, showing that shifting to a regenerative system can lead to thriving and sustainable farms, provided the transition risks are fairly shared across the supply chain.
Key insights include the importance of financial resilience, risk management, and the benefits of sustainable farming practices such as improved soil health and climate mitigation. The report emphasizes the need for institutional support, policy clarity, and collaboration across the supply chain to ensure profitability and resilience for dairy farmers. It also underscores the significance of animal welfare, staff wellbeing, and community engagement in the transition process.