Chewing The Cud at Halton Farms

About Chewing The Cud at Halton Farms

“Chewing The Cud”—Season 2 - Listen Now! After an incredible journey through our first season and the honour of being named the British Farming Award’s Dairy Farm of the Year, we’re thrilled to invite you back to Halton Farms, nestled near the picturesque town of Congleton in the heart of Cheshire. Join Karen, the passionate owner of Halton Farms, and Dave, our dedicated Herd Manager, as we continue to open the barn doors to the vibrant world of dairy farming. This season, we’re bringing you even closer to the action with heartwarming stories from Farmer Tom, insights from our hardworking team, and the daily adventures of our thriving family of over 800 healthy and happy crossbred cows. At Halton Farms, high animal welfare isn’t just a standard—it’s our core philosophy that has guided us to award-winning excellence. In each episode, we’ll delve deeper into the highs and lows of farm life, share the innovative practices that have set us apart, and explore the latest trends shaping the dairy industry. Whether you’re a fellow farmer, an industry enthusiast, or simply curious about life on the farm, there’s something for everyone in Season 2. Expect more behind-the-scenes glimpses, expert discussions, and, of course, plenty of moos from our beloved herd. So grab a seat in the barn and join Karen and Dave as we continue our journey, sharing udderly new insights from the fields of Halton Farms—because there’s always more to chew on in the world of dairy farming! Don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates and a closer look at our day-to-day—our girls are as social as ever and love sharing their stories with you! Chewing The Cud: Season 2—Karen & Dave Sharing Udderly New Insights from the Award-Winning Halton Farms! Instagram: @haltonfarms (https://www.instagram.com/haltonfarms/) TikTok: @haltonfarms (https://www.tiktok.com/@haltonfarms) Facebook: Halton Farms (https://www.facebook.com/Haltonfarms/) Facebook: Halton Farms Milk Shack (https://www.facebook.com/haltonfarmsmilkshack) Website: haltonfarms.com (http://haltonfarms.com) Visit us: Chance Hall Lane, Nr Congleton (https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWh7wrjNgrmBBD4g8)

Publisher

Halton Farms

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Oct 2023

Latest episode

16 May 2025

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 May 2025

   t’s About Fertility: Meet Mal, the Original AI Guy!

   Fertility might not be the flashiest topic on a dairy farm, but it’s the one that keeps everything else turning—and this week Dave hands the mic to the man who makes it happen. Meet Mal, the farm’s long-time AI technician, whose “walk-and-chalk” service starts at 4 a.m. every morning. From the shed gates he studies the herd’s body language, fresh tail-paint marks and data in the Uniform app before deciding which cows need checking, scanning or serving. Mal’s work is a true partnership. The whole Halton team watches the herd throughout the day, snapping photos and notes to a dedicated WhatsApp group so he can fine-tune tomorrow’s plan—because even the tiniest shift in diet, a hint of mobility issues, or a change in the weather can knock a cycle off course. The conversation widens into careers, too. Mal explains how he swapped a textile-factory job for seven-day weeks on the fertility circuit, why he still loves relief-milking, and how his son Calum has joined the family business. Passion, persistence and that 4 a.m. alarm have grown his one-man Land Rover-and-flask outfit into a trusted service for dozens of farms. He still relishes the job’s variety, the quiet moments in the parlour and, most of all, the buzz when another pregnancy check comes back positive. By the end of the episode you’ll understand why fertility is the quiet engine of a year-round calving dairy, and why a good technician is worth his weight in milk. Follow Halton Farms Social Cow's Instagram: @haltonfarms (https://www.instagram.com/haltonfarms/) TikTok: @haltonfarms (https://www.tiktok.com/@haltonfarms) Facebook: Halton Farms (https://www.facebook.com/Haltonfarms/) Facebook: Halton Farms Milk Shack (https://www.facebook.com/haltonfarmsmilkshack) Website: haltonfarms.com (http://haltonfarms.com) Visit us: Chance Hall Lane, Nr Congleton (https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWh7wrjNgrmBBD4g8)

2. 

   9 May 2025

   It’s About Silage: Cutting It Fine

   The first cut of silage season has arrived, and just about everything else at Halton Farms seems to grinds to a halt until the grass is safely in. Climb into the tractor cab with Karen as she rides shotgun beside Farmer Tom, who’s busy mowing lush spring grass that will feed the herd all winter long. While the mower hums, Tom admits he’s only now—eight‑and‑a‑half years later—getting comfortable with the GPS, monitors, buttons and auto‑steer that make modern silage work possible. He explains how a single rain shower can change sugar levels overnight, why chopping at just the right height protects next month’s regrowth, and how the perfect harvest window means happier, healthier cows when cold weather hits. It’s a mid‑field masterclass in timing, tech and teamwork, delivered in real time from the tractor seat. Grab your headphones, smell the fresh‑cut grass, and learn why silage season is the most important (and most frantic) moment on the dairy‑farm calendar. Follow Halton Farms Social Cow's Instagram: @haltonfarms (https://www.instagram.com/haltonfarms/) TikTok: @haltonfarms (https://www.tiktok.com/@haltonfarms) Facebook: Halton Farms (https://www.facebook.com/Haltonfarms/) Facebook: Halton Farms Milk Shack (https://www.facebook.com/haltonfarmsmilkshack) Website: haltonfarms.com (http://haltonfarms.com) Visit us: Chance Hall Lane, Nr Congleton (https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWh7wrjNgrmBBD4g8)

3. 

   25 Apr 2025

   It's About Farmer Tom... Again!

   Dave is finally back from his sunshine break! In this episode, Karen invites Farmer Tom back for another deep dive into British dairy—this time with Dave asking the questions. The conversation opens with a frank look at milk prices and why farmers remain price-takers rather than price-makers. Tom explains how better contracts, quotas, and smarter supply caps could steady both farm income and the national milk supply. From there, the trio unpacks the challenges of milk contracts and launches into a spirited debate on farm-assurance schemes: Tom insists inspections should start with the cows, not the filing cabinet. Staffing gets its moment too. At Halton Farms, both eager newcomers and seasoned hands start with the same trial day—an equal-opportunity test that quickly reveals who’s truly parlour-ready and willing to work the cows’ way, not their own. Tom also shares his reset-button approach to rough days—drop the guilt, fix the mistake, and move on—because sulking only makes tomorrow harder. Looking ahead, Karen and Tom discuss bringing agriculture back into the classroom and how high-tech farming could tempt the next generation. Their shared goal: leave British dairy stronger than they found it. It’s a warm, candid episode packed with big questions and bigger laughs. Pour a glass of milk, press play, and discover why price, people, and perspective matter more than ever on today’s dairy farms. Follow Halton Farms Social Cow's Instagram: @haltonfarms (https://www.instagram.com/haltonfarms/) TikTok: @haltonfarms (https://www.tiktok.com/@haltonfarms) Facebook: Halton Farms (https://www.facebook.com/Haltonfarms/) Facebook: Halton Farms Milk Shack (https://www.facebook.com/haltonfarmsmilkshack) Website: haltonfarms.com (http://haltonfarms.com) Visit us: Chance Hall Lane, Nr Congleton (https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWh7wrjNgrmBBD4g8)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

3.7 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

46

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

Contact Chewing The Cud at Halton Farms

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.