A Dairy Story
Synopsis
Filmed over two years, we see Wilma and David’s determination to reinvent dairy farming; challenging industry norms by putting nature and animal welfare first. Their path wasn’t easy. They faced criticism and ridicule from their intensive dairy neighbours and almost went bankrupt proving it could work.
When Wilma receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, their mission to encourage wider industry adoption of their cow-with-calf system takes on new urgency.
This documentary addresses themes of connection and mortality, and topics of animal sentience, the environment and system change. Following calves from birth to weaning, we see the herd's profound capacity for maternal care. It introduces us to Lancashire farmers who have been inspired by Rainton farm and follows David to London as he contributes to the UK Climate Change Committee.
A DAIRY STORY shows how changing a farming system changes everything; from the lives of the animals to the wellbeing of the farmers, and perhaps even the future of dairy farming itself.
Details
- Year
- 2025
- Type of film
- Features
- Running time
- 78 min
- Format
- 4k
- Director
-
Ian Findlay 1st Feature
- Producer
- Lorna Young
- Editor
- Ian Findlay
- Screenwriter
- Lorna Young
- Director of Photography
- Ian Findlay
- Sound
- Ian Findlay
- Composer
- Finlay Harrison, Lewis Findlay
- Principal cast
- Wilma Finlay, David Finlay
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
Laverock Productions Ltd
2 Academy StreetDumfries
Dumfries and Galloway
DG1 1BY
Page updates
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