Rainton Farm produces traditional cheese and luxury ice cream in a non-traditional way. The products are made with organic milk from the farm’s own dairy herd, and the calves are kept with their mothers to suckle. Traditional dairy farms separate calves from their mothers within a few hours of birth, and the stress on the cows is apparent.
Rainton Farm keeps cow families together for five to six months and is the first commercial dairy in the UK to follow the cow with calf method. The impact has been incredible; Rainton Farm says its animals are happier, calmer, and more confident as a result.
The calves grow into ‘teenagers’ and only leave the nest once they start playing with their pals. Treating the cows, land, and environment respectfully has also led to reductions in the use of antibiotics and an increase in biodiversity.
Proving that the ethical dairy model is viable and sustainable, Rainton Farm is hoping this way of farming catches on across the UK.
Radical dairy worth supporting.