Wheelbirks Parlour

Wheelbirks Farm combines management of a herd of jersey cows, with a ‘Parlour’ Shop and Cafe, which specialises in ice-cream made on the farm. They sell unpasteurised milk, and explain why on their web site. There is also outdoor seating and excellent views. This is what they say about their Farming Practice.

We are proud to practice ethical dairy farming here at Wheelbirks. We keep our calves with their mother’s until they are ready to be weaned off her milk, which can take several months. This practice is unusual for dairy farms and is only possible due to us having such a small herd.

Our Jersey cows and calves can be seen outside in the lush fields from March to November. During the winter months we house them in our spacious indoor barns as Jersey cows do not fare well in cold weather.

Our cows live here until they are unwell and are unable to have a good quality of life. Our Jersey girls typically have long lives here (compared to the average life span of a dairy cow)
One of our lovely girls is 15 years old, she is cared for gently and is in good health.

We don’t have any male calves as we use sexed semen, therefore removing the need to put down bull calves at birth. Our Artificial insemination technique is carried out carefully and sensitively.
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Dairy farming was first introduced to Wheelbirks in 1925, when Colin Richardson recognised a market for locally produced, top quality milk. The Wheelbirks herd of pedigree Jerseys are the oldest established and the only pedigree herd in Northumberland. Today Wheelbirks is farmed by the 5th generation of Richardson’s, Hugh and Tom Richardson.