Behind the Milk Bottle: Meet the Farmers Behind Cotteswold Dairy

Jan 19
2 min read

When you pick up a bottle of milk, it’s easy to forget the people behind it. At Cotteswold Dairy, every bottle starts with independent, family-run farms, each with its own way of working but all sharing the same values: good farming, healthy cows, and quality milk.

Let’s take a closer look at the farmers who make it all happen.

Traditional, Conventional Milk

Our Fresh British milk comes from local conventional farms within approximately 60 miles of the dairy in Tewkesbury. Keeping farms close helps reduce food miles and supports the long-term sustainability of local agriculture. These are often multi-generation family farms, where knowledge has been passed down over decades.

Cows spend the spring and summer months grazing outdoors, making the most of fresh lush grass. All farms are Red Tractor assured, meaning high standards of animal welfare,

food safety and traceability are met across the board.

Some farms also use automated milking systems, allowing cows to choose when they’re milked, supporting both welfare and efficient farm management.

For farmers, it’s about balance, using traditional methods alongside modern standards to look after their herds properly.

Welsh Dairy Farmers

Cotteswold Dairy also works with Welsh dairy farmers. These farms operate much like those in England, with cows enjoying plenty of time grazing outdoors and being well cared for all year round.

Welsh dairy farming is deeply rooted in local communities, supporting rural jobs and local economies. By sourcing milk from these farms, Cotteswold Dairy helps sustain regional farming while continuing to deliver consistent, high-quality milk.

Organic Farming: Working With Nature

Organic milk has been part of Cotteswold Dairy’s story for decades. Our Organic farms are certified by Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) and also meet Red Tractor standards.

Organic farmers focus on natural systems:

· No artificial fertilisers or chemical inputs

· No genetically modified feeds

· Diets based largely on lush grass and clover

By working with natural systems, organic farmers focus on improving soil health,

encouraging wildlife and reducing reliance on artificial inputs.

Organic farming works with nature, they avoid synthetic pesticides, and fertilizers which helps protect soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. This approach supports long-term sustainability, ensuring that farmland stays productive and healthy for future generations.

Organic cows are fed organic feed, and must have regular access to pasture.

Channel Island Cows: Small Herds, Big Character

Milk from Jersey and Guernsey cows brings something a little different. These Channel Island breeds are known for producing rich, creamy milk and for their distinctive personalities.

Farmers working with these cows often manage smaller herds, allowing closer monitoring of cow health and wellbeing.

This hands-on approach helps farmers make thoughtful decisions about feeding, grazing and housing, supporting long-term sustainability at farm level.

While each type of farm is unique, they all share a common goal: happy, healthy cows produce better milk, today and in the future. Welfare, traceability and sustainable farming practices are central to every farm supplying Cotteswold Dairy.

By working closely with local farmers and keeping supply chains short, Cotteswold Dairy ensures that the connection between field, farmer and fridge stays strong.

Behind every bottle is a farmer, watching the weather, caring for cows, and doing the daily work that keeps dairy farming evolving. Whether it’s conventional, Welsh, Organic or Channel Island milk, it all starts the same way: on a farm, with people who care about the products they produce.