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TO mark the completion of a substantial investment programme, Forde Grange Goat Dairy near Chard on the Dorset/Somerset border is opening its doors to the public on September 12. The open day, which will run between 12.30 and 4pm, allows access to what has become one of the largest goat dairies in the country milking over 1300 goats daily and producing more than 110,000 litres of mile each month.

The investment has been a joint endeavour between Childhay Farming and Forde Abbey Estate. It has seen the creation of two enormous airy sheds and a new 80-point milking parlour, which allows two people to milk 650 goats an hour. All will be on display during the day with the opportunity to speak to those involved with the planning, construction and the care of the goats. The milking will begin at 2.30pm.

Tim Frost of Childhay Farming explains more about the programme: "We have been renting buildings on the Forde Abbey Estate for goat milking for ten years now, but the ever growing demand for both goat milk and the soft and hard cheeses derived from it, persuaded us that it was time to expand." This expansion demanded high levels of capital investment at which point Ford Abbey became actively involved in the operation.

Mark Roper of Forde Abbey is enthusiastic about being an active partner in the scheme: "Tim and Will are experienced goat farmers and learning about what they do has been fascinating. Not that there haven't been some anxious moments. With a building scheme of this size that is inevitable, but being more compact is not an option."

The welfare of the goats has been paramount throughout and has dictated the scale of the building programme. Tim Frost explains: "The Saanen goats we use originate from the mountains of Switzerland and need to be protected from the excessively wet ground conditions we see here I the UK. They are kept undercover in straw bedded yards using barley straw to prevent disease, particularly in their feet. We also work closely with our local vet and a nutritionist to ensure they are as healthy as possible."

The open day is a great opportunity to find out more about what is still considered a niche market within agriculture and to talk to people who are experts I the field. To register your interest in attending please contact Forde Abbey on 01460 220231 or by emailing info@fordabbey.co.uk.

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