Dairy special: Robots relieve the workload on Staffordshire family farm

Moving from a conventional parlour to three milking robots is helping one Staffordshire farming family boost milk yields and relieve workloads

clock • 6 min read
(L-r) Will and Rachael Shaw, with Pete and Lizzie Cotton
Image:

(L-r) Will and Rachael Shaw, with Pete and Lizzie Cotton

The Cotton family have 195 milkers in the Chasmar Holstein herd which calve all year round at Blakeley Farm, Whiston, with a similar number of followers. The 121-hectare (300-acre) farm has been in...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Register for free Join Now

 

More on Dairy

Why you should rethink your dairy heifer inventory to boost financial return on-farm
Dairy

Why you should rethink your dairy heifer inventory to boost financial return on-farm

A combination of genomic testing and applying strict targets for the use of sexed semen to control the number of heifers reared and entering the herd can increase the return on investment in heifer rearing

Dairy Farmer
clock 29 July 2026 • 5 min read
How one Cornish dairy farm is keeping sight of its heritage
Dairy

How one Cornish dairy farm is keeping sight of its heritage

From the dairy herd to the ice-cream production, every part of the Parker family's business has evolved to meet changing markets and rising expectations

Danusia Osiowy
clock 29 July 2026 • 8 min read
What your dairy herd's fertility data can tell you
Dairy

What your dairy herd's fertility data can tell you

Dairy cow fertility is described as a ‘spider's web of interconnect risk factors' by veterinary consultant Dr Vicki Shepherd, so what factors need addressing to achieve good performance?

Wendy Short
clock 27 July 2026 • 6 min read