On most dairy farms, calves are taken from their mothers soon after birth. At Old Hall Farm in Woodton, south of Norwich, they stay together for at least the first six months. Rebecca and Stuart Mayhew run a Jersey dairy on a cow-with-calf system. The calves suckle while their mothers are also milked, and every drop of milk the farm produces is sold direct, raw. The dairy began in 2016 with their first Jersey cow. Freya followed shortly after, with three heifers. Neither of them had milked before, and they learned by watching YouTube. The herd is entirely pasture-fed, and alongside the milk the farm sells cream, butter and meat from its own pigs and cattle. There's a farm shop and café on site, and customers further afield can order for delivery. What I admire is the decision to build the whole dairy around keeping cows and calves together. It isn't the easy option (it lengthens the gap between calvings, for a start), and the Mayhews made it the centre of the business anyway. And unlike most dairies, you can drive up, buy the milk and see the cows and calves behind it.

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldhallfarm/

Can people visit or buy direct?

Yes. Raw Jersey milk, cream, butter and the farm's own meat are sold from the farm shop, which opens every day, and there is a café on site. Milk and other products can also be ordered online for delivery. Check the website for current hours.

Website

https://www.oldhallfarm.co.uk

Address Summary

Woodton, Bungay, Norfolk, NR35 2LP