From farm to fridge, learn how we bring you the best British milk from Arla, and how your purchase supports the farmers.

A pint or two of nourishing British milk is a staple in most fridges, but what about the farmers and herds that get it there? Meet David whose cows produce quality dairy for Asda.
David’s family has been farming for generations. It’s a truly family affair with David’s parents, sister and even his nephew, aged 11, who likes to help out after school.
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The next time the sight of cows lying down in a field sends you running for shelter, remember the words of dairy farmer David. ‘Cows lying down means it’s going to rain? Absolute rubbish!’ he scoffs. ‘They’re more likely to be sunbathing.’&nbsp;
You can take David’s word for it. He’s been working with dairy cows all his life and knows each of his 500-strong herd by name. He even has his favourites, although he’s reluctant to say which one of his cows takes the top spot.&nbsp;
‘Cows all have different faces, and each has her own quirks and personality,’ he says. ‘Some are lazy, some enjoy a cuddle. There are extra inquisitive cows who break into mum’s garden and have to be driven out, boss cows who call the shots and family groups who spend most of their time hanging out together. But I’ve never known a cow that can predict the weather.’&nbsp;
David’s family have been dairy farming on this glorious strip of Cumbria between the Irish Sea and the Lake District for so long that the origins are lost in the mists of time. They’ve been at their current base since the 1850s, and three generations currently live and work there. David’s parents, sister and her son, are all part of the team, along with four employees.
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Every day, the farm supplies fresh milk to Arla, which is the UK’s largest dairy cooperative. Arla has around 2,000 farmers in the UK, providing all the <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/semi-skimmed-milk/asda-arla-farmers-semi-skimmed-milk/910002516119?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_meet-the-tastemakers-milk&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda fresh British milk</a> in the dairy aisle. ‘Being part of Arla is great for us,’ says David. ‘All the profits go back to the farmers and our voices are always heard.’&nbsp;
Arla Farmers Milk is available at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/aisle/chilled-food/milk-butter-cream-eggs/fresh-milk/1215660378320-1215339432024-1215339434886?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_meet-the-tastemakers-milk&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda</a> and, for each bottle sold, Arla gives an extra 25p back to the farmers. Together, Arla and Asda are proud to support the farmers and by doing so they strive to produce the best quality milk to high standards for everyone to enjoy.&nbsp;
Back at the farm, each of the family members has a role to play. David’s sister Victoria, for example, is a trained vet in charge of the herd’s welfare. ‘There’s never been any doubt I’d carry on the family tradition,’ says David. ‘My childhood memories in this beautiful place are so happy, and I loved going to the milking parlour with my dad from a very young age.’

<h2>It's a wonderful life</h2>
‘I did spend a few years working away from the farm just to be sure, but I’ve been back since I was 25 and never regretted it. Farming’s a lifestyle, not a job – you can’t just turn your phone off at the end of the day. But it’s in my blood, and for me the best bit is seeing our cows happy and milking well.&nbsp;
‘Yes, there are dark winter days when life feels tough,’ says David. ‘But then there are spring days when the smell of freshly cut silage fills the air and the sun shines all day on the Costa del Cumbria. On those days, you’ll find me belting tunes out while I work, and everyone has to put up with it – including the cows.’&nbsp;&nbsp;
From the first milking session before breakfast, to finding new ways to bring the best possible milk to Asda customers, days are busy down on the farm.
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<h2>Caring environment</h2>
The farm is set on 650 acres of rolling green pastures dotted with beautiful woodland and sweeping streams. The cow residents of this idyll are magnificent Holsteins.&nbsp;
David’s day starts at 6am for his first milking session, then he checks over each cow in the entire herd before heading back home for a well-earned breakfast. Afterwards, it’s time for David’s favourite job – he has around 25 calves to look after at any given time, and each one is fed by hand until they can be weaned. ‘Everyone loves being with the calves,’ he says. ‘They’re so friendly and tend to have a mad half hour, running and jumping about.’&nbsp;
After that, it’s lunchtime – and it’s more than likely that dairy products will feature prominently on the menu. ‘I’m a big fan,’ says David. ‘We grew up drinking lots of milk, and I still love milk, cheese and yoghurt. Mum’s a fantastic cook who often uses milk and cream in cooking – dauphinoise potatoes, cauliflower cheese, rice puddings – you name it, if it has milk in it, we eat it.’&nbsp;
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Afternoons are taken up by odd jobs, including exploring new initiatives to provide natural, nutritious dairy that is produced in the most sustainable way possible. The farm has already reduced its fertiliser usage and introduced rotational grazing to help improve soil quality. ‘It’s a question of small steps in the right direction, like leaving hedgerows untrimmed to boost biodiversity, or uncut areas around field margins to encourage wildflowers,’ David explains.
At 4pm it’s time for the second milking session. All the day’s milk is filtered, chilled, and stored until it’s collected by tanker to be taken to the Arla dairy. There, it’s pasteurised and separated for different dairy products like butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream, and the different types of milk from whole to skimmed. ‘Once that tanker leaves the yard, my part in the process is done,’ says David.
Another round of checking and feeding follows before David and his family can turn in for the night. ‘We never really clock off before we start it all again the next morning,’ says David. ‘But that’s the farming life. My nephew is already his granddad’s right-hand man, so it looks as though the next generation is already lined up, and so our wonderful way of life goes on.

<h2>Feeling inspired by our Tastemakers story?</h2>
Try using our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/semi-skimmed-milk/asda-arla-farmers-semi-skimmed-milk/910002516119?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_meet-the-tastemakers-milk&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda Arla Farmers Milk</a> in this creamy <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/chai-panna-cotta-with-pistachios-and-orange?recipe_id=df1424b9-50a1-11ee-821b-ab320a9786aa" target="_blank">panna cotta recipe</a>. Rich, aromatic and sweetened with honey, this take on a culinary classic is an easy make-ahead dessert for dinner with friends. It looks impressive, too.
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<a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/chai-panna-cotta-with-pistachios-and-orange?recipe_id=df1424b9-50a1-11ee-821b-ab320a9786aa" target="_blank">Chai Panna Cotta with Pistachios &amp; Orange</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/chai-panna-cotta-with-pistachios-and-orange?recipe_id=df1424b9-50a1-11ee-821b-ab320a9786aa" target="_blank">View recipe</a>
Serves: 4
Ready in: 3 hrs 30 min, including chilling time
Price per serving: £0.48
Recipe info: Gluten-free, Egg-Free 
Faff-factor: 2 out of 3
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Why not try our creamy panna cotta recipe, inspired by David's milk production story, for yourself? Make sure to stock up on everything you need at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_meet-the-tastemakers-milk&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda</a> or pop into <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/" target="_blank">your local store</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Milk - Meet the Tastemakers

By Asda Good Living,1st September 2023

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