BY CARLA BASU

Dairy Farming has a history that dates back thousands of years. Since the mid-1980s, small family-style farms have rapidly given way to much larger and more intensive operations. As with any business, the dairy industry is shaped by national and international economic factors. However, for local Ayrshire cheesemaker, Dunlop Dairy, they have decided to stick to its traditional roots, as the family-run business recognises the economic importance of the dairy sector.

Owner of Dunlop Dairy, Ann Dorward, spoke about the development of the business and stated that her parents sold their house and bought the farm in 1983, and due to the milk quota being high at that time, the decided to go “down the sheep and goat road first, as it was cheaper and easier to go down…it all just has worked on from their on a very small scale, still very small but growing a wee bit.”

Later in our discussion, Ann discussed the importance of the dairy sector in Scotland and expressed, “In the West of Scotland it’s an important one because it’s the West of Scotland that’s got a bigger area to do dairy…I just think it’s important for us to have it and folk should be drinking it…it’s quite an important part of the diet.”

During a press conference, East Ayrshire local councillor Ellen Freed voiced why young people in Scotland should be educated in the farming sector. Councillor Freed stated, “I just think it’s a way of life that should be protected within this community…It might be good for young people to study it, but also to see it. And as far as I understand, just from talking to young people who work on farms, it’s all mechanised now. They’re not milking the cows anymore, the way they used to. It’s all machinery.”

The dairy production sector can be seen to benefit Scotland’s environment, farmers, communities and businesses. Farming today faces many new challenges, but let’s hope that by supporting small dairy farms like Dunlop Dairy, the dairy farming sector will continue to grow for years to come.