It might sound like something out of a fairytale (of New York), but it’s a true festive story – with the 50-strong herd at Les Fauconnaires Farm mooing around the Christmas Tree at milking time.
Les Fauconnaires Farm, which is owned by Jim and Liz Naftel, is the only organic farm on the island accredited by the Soil Association. They say their cows love listening to music during milking.
Pictured: Liz and Jim Naftel with some of their dairy herd at Les Fauconnaires Farm.
For most of the year, Mr and Mrs Naftel credit a mixture of news and music with keeping the cows calm and relaxed. But at this time of year they switch to classic Christmas songs.
“We always have the radio on when we’re milking in the parlour as it not only keeps us happy but also keep the cows calm and relaxed,” said Mrs Naftel.
“During the year they tend to listen to BBC Radio 2’s current affairs in the morning and then we switch to listening to popular music in the afternoon. Anything we are singing along to keeps the herd calm and it makes the milking experience a lot more pleasurable for them.
“However, as of 1 December, we turn off BBC Radio 2 and tune in to our Christmas pop music play list, which the cows love.”
Pictured: Jim Naftel in his milking shed, which has been decorated for Christmas milking sessions.
Despite cattle featuring in one of the best-known Christmas carols ever written, Mrs Naftel said her dairy herd do not want to listen to Away in a Manger. Contrary to their calm character, the cows at Les Fauconnaires enjoy more lively festive songs, including classic tunes by Slade and Wizard as well as huge hits by Wham and Mariah Carey.
“Our cows seem to enjoy the more upbeat Christmas songs rather than traditional carols,” said Mrs Naftel.
Pictured: When measured in ‘food miles’, the milk produced at Les Fauconnaires Farm in Guernsey travels just one mile to the Guernsey Dairy.
Les Fauconnaires Farm is the only organic dairy farm in Guernsey where the complete ‘grass to glass’ production process is certified by the Soil Association. It is also RSPCA Farm Assured, which ensures the highest standards of animal welfare.
The organic milk is picked up by and taken to Guernsey Dairy where it is processed and packaged separately from other fresh milk to maintain its organic status.
“Not only is our milk truly organic but our food miles are extremely low – the milk journey is just one mile up the road,” said Mrs Naftel.
Pictured top: A cow in festive mood at Les Fauconnaires Farm.
