We’re delighted to be teaming up with Cream o’ Galloway innovative farmers David and Wilma Finlay as they launch their unique new dairy set up that, we think, points the way to the sort of farming we need to see.

Wilma explains:

Three years ago we started to change our breed of cow to be a more dual purpose milk and beef cow, rather than a cow that is just good at producing milk. From our next calving in October this year we will leave the dairy calves with their mothers instead of removing them at 1 day old. We have been improving our grassland so that we can reduce the amount of bought in feed that the cows get, making us less susceptible to price spikes and less dependent on land that could be used for human feed. This will in turn reduce the amount of milk that each cow produces, so we will milk them just once per day. This will have the benefit of putting be less pressure on the cows, so will increase their productive lives. As a result we will need fewer calves as replacements in the dairy herd, so more of our calves will go for rose veal or beef. (I’m sure you already know that most dairy bullocks are seen as a waste product and don’t enter the beef chain.) And finally, we are installing a single stage anaerobic digestor (we think the first in the UK if not Europe) which will improve the slurry as a fertiliser, reduce the methane and ammonia GHG and produce electricity and hot water. We intend to use some of the hot water to heat poly tunnels for all year round veg.

Friday 31st August, 10.30am-2pm The Lean, Green Milking Regime, Friday 31st August, 10.30am-2pm

Can welfare and environmentally friendly food be affordable?

Hear from David Finlay, farmer and co-founder of Cream o’ Galloway, as he goes ‘live’ with his new unique dairying system. Will it achieve the high welfare and environmental standards he has set? Will it be affordable? This is a great opportunity to discuss the issues relating to animal welfare, food security, environmental sustainability and affordability. You’ll join David at 10:30am for a coffee and scone, before touring the new dairy set-up, followed by a delicious lunch based on produce from the farm.

Cream o’ Galloway, Rainton Farm, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2DR T: 01557 814040 E: helen@creamogalloway.co.uk Cost: £12.50 Booking essential. You should plan to attend the whole event