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

 

More on Dairy

Why has a flying dairy herd in Wales moved to breeding its own replacements?

Why has a flying dairy herd in Wales moved to breeding its own replacements?

Gwynfor Jarman and his family are committed to forging ahead with their business plan and have instigated several significant changes at Gwern Hefin over the years

clock 11 March 2026 • 7 min read
Nature focus adds value to cheese at Barber's in Somerset

Nature focus adds value to cheese at Barber's in Somerset

Adding value to the family farm’s milk was the focus for Barber’s Cheesemakers nearly 200 years ago, with the company still focusing on providing a premium product in 2026

Alex Black
clock 09 March 2026 • 5 min read
Dairy Talk - Ben Yates: "The challenge will be trying to save costs without having a negative effect on the cows or production"

Dairy Talk - Ben Yates: "The challenge will be trying to save costs without having a negative effect on the cows or production"

Ben Yates manages Mells Park Estate, Somerset, where he oversees a 400-cow unit and manages the 405-ha (1,000 acre) estate. Along with his wife and two sons, Ben has his own small herd of pedigree Holsteins under the Wowcow prefix. He joined the Holstein UK Board of Trustees in 2021

clock 05 March 2026 • 3 min read