Tales from a Farmer’s Wife – Monthly Speaker

Jane Barnes of Southfields Farm, Somerby entertained us with a lively and fascinating talk about the life of a dairy farmer’s wife.

With a herd of Ayrshire cows (they have changed in recent years from Friesian), Jane took us through the trials and tribulations of modern-day farming, from buying new cows to the 365 days a year commitment to managing the herd.  The four bulls had their work cut out servicing the herd and took it in turns to make sure every cow delivered a calf each year.  Each cow, at its peak, produces 30 to 40 litres of milk per day.  This is used solely for the production of Stilton cheese which was available to purchase at the end of her presentation.

She was an excellent ambassador for british farming in all its activities and she was definitely not shy of promoting their Stilton cheese, her skills at giving talks and the farm visits she hosts by appointment for groups at £10 per head.