Small Scale Dairy Farming

Are you looking for a way to start out in dairy, changing an existing system or adding value?  This one day course will aim to cover all aspects of running a small scale dairy and how it can fit into a regenerative system.  You will be able to speak to the farmers who are making it work, and hear about the challenges and successes that they have experienced.

During the day we will explore legislation, food hygiene, on farm processing and direct sales.  Discussion topics will include, whether or not to pasteurise, glass bottles,  plastic bottles or vending machines and how to find a market through linking up with other local producers.

We will look at cow with calf systems, housing and parlour options and how to access funding and grants.  Also, breed choice and how to find the right cattle to fit with your system.

We will be joined by:

Huw from Pentrefelin

Huw milks 10 Red Poll cows, they are 100% grass fed and keep their calves to foot.  The milk is sold to independent shops and from a trailer with an honesty box.  It was always a dream of Huw's to milk his own cows, ever since his father stopped dairy farming in 2005.  A couple of years ago he decided that instead of milking cows conventionally, he would try something completely different.

Nick and Vicky from North Aston Dairy  

North Aston Dairy started producing delicious, unhomogenised, organic milk more than fifteen years ago. They are milking 20 cows, a mix of Ayrshire's and Friesian's, and sell milk, cream, yoghurt and a wide range of exciting ice cream flavours.  In 2021, the dairy became part of the main farm and they are going from strength to strength.  They offer doorstep delivery or collection from the farm, as well as supplying a few independent retailers and farmers markets.

This course is designed for farmers, advisors, new entrants and anyone who would like to learn more about how the milk is produced here on the farm.

Tickets include refreshments and a light, seasonal lunch from the FarmED Kitchen.

This is a full-day course running from 10am to 4.30pm.

Tiered Pricing

Delivery of our mission is a collective effort and our values embrace inclusivity and diversity. We don’t want price to be a barrier to anyone visiting FarmED or attending our events.

FarmED Bursary

If cost is a barrier to you attending, then please do ask us for financial support. The FarmED Bursary offers free or subsidised places to those that will benefit most.

Discounted Tickets for:

GREAT Farmers

As part of the GREAT project (see www.greatglos.co.uk) we can offer subsidised places to existing and aspiring farmers, growers and advisers in Gloucestershire to the suite of regenerative agriculture and agroecological transition courses at FarmED. To book, please select the Discounted Ticket option below. You will be asked for a few eligibility details including evidence of your involvement in regenerative agriculture and your potential impact in Gloucestershire.

We like to take photos and occasionally videos of our events to use on our website and social media, please let us know if you do not want to be photographed.