Cow with calf dairy farming at Cream o' Galloway

Ethical Dairy Farming

Rainton Farm has been an organic farm for more than 20 years, introducing pasture-based, regenerative, agroecological farming methods 12 years ago. In 2016 Rainton became Europe's largest cow-with-calf dairy farm, after 10 years of research, development and preparation. This means that unlike most other dairy farms, the calves on the farm get to stay with their mum to suckle naturally.

In conventional dairy farms, calves are removed from their mothers within a few hours of their birth. David and Wilma Finlay wanted to find another way, and visitors to Cream o' Galloway encouraged them to give it a try. Put simply, they didn’t want to have to choose between doing what’s right and staying in business.

Rainton's ethical dairy model is based around treating the animals, the land, the environment and the people who work there with respect and kindness.

You can find out more about the story behind Rainton's farming system at The Ethical Dairy.

The Ethical Dairy range is a fully organic range of cheeses and these are available for purchase in Cream o' Galloway visitor centre and at selected retailers across the UK.

Net Zero Farming

Rainton's farming system is designed around harnessing natural systems for ecological, biodiversity, sustainability and animal welfare benefits. The farm team focus on agroecology and regenerative methods; systems of management that put back more than they extract – David and his team doesn’t just sustain, they go beyond net zero, regenerating and renewing.