A Wigton dairy farm is celebrating its two-year anniversary of being part of the Aldi Dairy Farm Partnership.

Rosewain farm joined the partnership back in 2018 in a bid to further improve sustainability practices, maintain high animal welfare standards and to share knowledge across a network of like-minded, progressive dairy farmers across the UK.

Since then, the farm has built a new shed to provide a more comfortable residence for its cows and has invested in new technologies to reduce energy usage.

Phillip Mattinson, at Rosewain farm, said: “The Aldi Dairy Farm Partnership has helped us to make significant environmental changes and incorporate new animal welfare practices to make our farm more sustainable and resilient for the future.

“We’ve built a spacious new shed, designed with help from our veterinary team, which includes new mattresses for our cows.

“We’ve also invested in a new feeding system to provide our cows with the perfect amount of feed, cutting down on wastage and energy usage.

“Visiting other farms has been really useful to share ideas and benchmark our progress.

"Even with Covid-19, we’ve kept this going with regular Zoom calls and group chats, and it has inspired us to introduce new climate-controlled sensor curtains for our barn, which open and close in reaction to the changing weather, keeping conditions perfect for our animals all year round.”

Rosewain Farm is also a member of the farmer-owned co-operative.

Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Our Dairy Farm Partnership, in conjunction with Arla Foods, supports dedicated dairy farmers such as FJ and M Mattinson and Sons to maintain high welfare standards while driving a more sustainable future for the dairy industry.

“Building long-term relationships with British suppliers has been key to our growth, and we’re proud to source 100 per cent of our milk from British farms.

"We’re delighted that we’ve been able to help FJ and M Mattinson and Sons on their journey so far and look forward to continuing our work with them.”

A decision to go against the trend and milk Ayrshire cattle has paid off for the Mattinson family.

With twin sons James and Philip wanting to work at home, Frank and Margaret Mattinson decided to re-establish a dairy herd in 2001 after a 12-year break running sucklers and sheep.

But not impressed with the wearability of the Holstein, they invested in the modern red and white type of Ayrshire to establish their Troutbeck herd.

Last year the twins, James and Philip found themselves in the history books at a soggy Westmorland County Show.

For the pair, of Rosewain farm, proudly stepped forward to receive one of the Burke Trophies with their renowned Ayrshire dairy cows.

The Burke Trophies, given to the best beef and dairy pairs, were contested at the Royal Show in Warwickshire until it ended in 2009.

The trophies now move around the country.

Christine Knipe, chief executive of the Westmorland County Agricultural Society, said it was the first time the trophies had been presented at a non-royal and a one-day show.

James explained they had not been to the county show for 15 years, but were drawn this time by the Burke Trophy for best dairy pairs.

“We heard it was coming and we really wanted to win it,” he said.

“It’s steeped in history and it was at the Royal Show.

"Now it moves around it was a good chance to have a go for it."

In May of this year, for the seventh consecutive year, Aldi was ranked the best-performing supermarket for compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.