Pioneering farmers to share milk producing tips

Robert and Lucy Noad are the fourth generation to have worked Woodhouse Farm

A dairy farming family at the forefront of new methods of agriculture believe it is vital to help people understand the benefits for reducing climate change.

Robert and Lucy Noad are the fourth generation to have worked Woodhouse Farm in Semington, Wiltshire, and are passionate about the regenerative methods they use to produce their milk.

"We're positive about making a noise about it, you need people to stick their necks above the parapet and say, 'Ok, I'll have a go,'" said Mrs Noad.

The farm is hosting a family fun day on 13 July to encourage people to visit the farm, meet the cows, and purchase milk from a new vending station.

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming with a strong focus on improving soil health and biodiversity.

It aims to minimise disturbance to the natural, ecological processes.

"We've got over 15 varieties of grasses, legumes and things like clovers and different native herbs in the paddocks," said Mrs Noad.

"The cattle go in to graze each field for just one day, so they're in and out really quickly and can't selectively graze out the species they like.

"So we have a really diverse species of plants."

Regenerative agriculture has a strong focus on improving soil health and biodiversity

The Noads are part of First Milk, a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative.

Last year, the family owned up to feeling "exhausted" and overwhelmed by the expectations of the industry to be "bigger and higher yielding all the time".

As part of the co-operative they are now paid not just for the number of litres of milk they produce, but also for the other things the farm is achieving, making their business not only financially viable, but ethical as well.

"First Milk are way ahead of anybody else who's buying milk in this country; how they've structured our milk contract and the amount of support they provide in the journey we're making," said Mrs Noad.

The Noads enjoy teaching children about the soil and hope in future to open the farm regularly to pupils

Mrs Noad, said there are only a "handful" of farmers in the south west practice these methods but at a recent festival of regenerative agriculture there was considerable interest from other farmers wanting to learn about it.

The free family fun day on 13 July is a chance for people to visit Woodhouse Farm, meet the cows and find out more about the farming methods.

The Noads also hope in future to open up the farm regularly to visitors and schoolchildren.

"I can't expect people to support us if they don't understand what we're doing," added Mrs Noad.

The cows on Woodhouse Farm are only allowed to graze on a particular field for a day at a time