A LUXURIOUS cowshed with automatic hairbrushes and memory foam mattresses is being constructed as an organic dairy expands to meet demand.

Extra staff, including herdsmen, milkmen and processing operatives, will also be needed at Acorn Dairy.

Up to 200 extra dairy shorthorn crosses will be housed in the new facility on the farm at Archdeacon Newton, Darlington. They will provide an additional 1.3 million litres of milk a year for doorstep and commercial customers in an area from Tyne and Wear to Yorkshire.

More than 3,200 doorstep customers are supplied, as well as Co-operative Stores across Yorkshire, the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, the region’s schools and a host of farm shops and caterers, by the multi-award winning dairy.

The expansion will result in a near 500 strong herd and a neighbouring 400 acres has been secured for grazing and silage. That land will become organic over the next two years.

An RSPB nest box programme, that is already flourishing at Acorn Dairy, will be extended to the new land. The farm has 86 species of bird, some of which are on the endangered list, such as the rare Red Start.

Director Caroline Bell said: "Our main aim is to farm in a way that is responsible and benefits animal welfare and the environment.

"Happy animals are healthy and more productive and our customers love the fact that they can come and see the cows who provide their milk."

The luxury cowshed will feature footbaths, automatic hairbrushes which groom the cows on contact and memory foam mattresses in stalls that will be 30 per cent larger than traditional ones.

Mrs Bell said: "Because they are happy they live longer, healthier lives and produce milk for longer. We have one cow that is 14, twice the average age of dairy cows that are farmed intensively."

Her brother and fellow director, Graham Tweddle, said: "Cows are heavy animals, about 700kg, with relatively small feet. Research has shown that if they can take the weight off their feet, by lying on the memory foam mattresses, the bloodflow increases to their udders and they produce more milk.

"The new shed is also closer to the milking parlour so they don’t have to walk as far and the footbath will help keep their hooves in top condition. The cowshed is all about boosting welfare and removing any problems before they start."

Expansion also includes plans for a third silage clamp and a young stock shed for 100 animals.

The plant, powered by a wind turbine, has the capacity to process and bottle the extra milk, with Acorn Dairy continuing to take supplies from Newcastle University’s organic farm.

Anyone interested in working for Acorn Dairy should contact caroline@acorndairy.co.uk