Northney Farm, Hayling Island

Cattle

Ayrshire Cow

Northney Farm has 120 Ayrshire cows in its dairy herd. They are favoured over the familiar black and white Holstein stock because Ayrshires are very hardy and long lived - reaching 15 and 16 years of age.

The herd is what is called a 'closed herd' which means that new animals are born and bred within the herd itself rather than being bought in from other farms. The rate of replacement in the herd is 12% per year.

Northney Farm has one very impressive and good natured Aberdeen Angus bull called Enfield . He has the task of ensuring that the young cows, known as heifers, become pregnant, produce young and therefore milk! He also has to 'serve' some of the other females that have not become pregnant through artificial insemination.

Aberdeen Angus Bull

One Ayrshire cow produces 6,000 litres of milk per year. The cows are milked twice a day. They are milked in a computerised parlour (see below). The milk is transported to the Drayton depot of the Dairy Farmers of Great Britain for pasteurising and bottling before being distributed to shops and supermarkets.

Unlike Ayrshire bulls, Aberdeen Angus bulls are more easy going and good natured. However, any large animal in a field should be treated cautiously and should never be approached without the farmers permission.

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