We know all of our 100 cows and their heifer calves as individuals, always try to give them a good quality of life and the opportunity to express natural behaviour. Our whole system is audited thoroughly by the Soil Association at least once each year.

The herd breeding policy is now concentrated on producing a cow with good health and a productive, long life. Artificial insemination is to Swedish Red bulls, developed from Ayrshire cattle. Two Dairy Shorthorn bulls have been purchased from another organic farm to run with the herd. We look forward to the first calves from them, and are expecting the cross breeding to provide hybrid vigour in the offspring.

We carefully planned and researched our conversion to organic dairy farming and have seen a huge improvement in the health of our animals. Each cow has her own character. Some prefer to be milked first, others take their time. They often come in next to a cow they get on with. Research has shown that cows in a group of up to 100 can recognise each other individually, and settle into a stable hierarchy. In bigger herds,
they are constantly meeting 'strangers' and the resultant lack of recognition can be stressful for them.