A family of third generation dairy farmers from Broughton have sold their entire herd of pure bred Friesian cattle as the milk industry hits rock bottom.
Crowds flocked to Ulverston Auction Mart this week to buy up cattle from Richard and Bev Cleasby's home-bred dairy herd as the family prepare to embark on a new farming policy.
Mr Cleasby, whose farm at Lower Hawthwaite in Broughton has been producing milk for over 80 years, will now be diversifying in to beef and sheep farming. The family took 108 cows to the auction, which between them produce over 7,000 litres of milk.
Mr Cleasby said: "Obviously it's a very sad day for the family but we are lucky that we can go on to farming beef and sheep now.
"The milk prices have dropped from 33p per litre in 2014 to around about 17p per litre now and barely anybody can afford to keep producing it at these prices."
The number of dairy farms in Cumbria has dropped by more than 300 in the last 10 years. During the last year alone 18 Cumbrian dairy farms, including the Cleasby's farm, which will now diversify, have closed. There are currently 784 dairy farms left in Cumbria, compared to 1,089 10 years ago.
The falling milk prices, which have seen supermarkets selling milk cheaper than water, have left dairy farmers in a dire situation. The average dairy farm will now lose £150,000 of income from milk sales this year.
Auctioneer Ross Watson, who was conducting the sale, was expecting buyers to attend from all over the UK and Scotland, and the herd will now be split up and transported to new homes.
The auction was packed with buyers and there was a real sense of purpose about the day as Mr Watson got the selling under way. There was also a lot of support from other local farmers who were there to wish the Cleasby's luck for the future - despite the day highlighting the demise of one of Britain's most traditional industries and the hardship that farmers are experiencing in the current market.
Milk prices are not expected to rise during 2017 and the situation means that we are in danger of losing a high percentage of our British dairy farms. As farming is one of our most important primary industries it is clear that more needs to be done to save the dairy industry and farming in general.
Mr Cleasby said: "This is the worst state I have ever known farming to be in. We have a hilly farm and so we can keep sheep and sucklers and sheep on the land more cheaply, but prices in all areas of farming are low and it's a tough time for everyone at the moment."
The price of milk has fallen steadily ever since supermarkets have had access to a global milk market and deregulated prices. They now tend to source dairy products from wherever they are cheapest. Farmers in the UK have to adhere to strict EU regulations on welfare codes and production procedures which mean that milk production has become more and more expensive. Farmers outside the UK are able to produce milk more cheaply as they are not so closely monitored - and this has meant that British farmers have been forced to lower their prices in order to compete.
The best way that we can help British farmers as a nation is to make sure that we are shopping at supermarkets which support British farming and buy produce from local farms or dairies. Milk will always have a label on the front to say whether it is sourced from British farms and it's not just milk but cheese, cream, butter and yogurt too. The "Red Tractor" logo is a sign that the dairy produce has been fairly sourced in Britain.
READ MORE:
Farmers in Cumbria risk losing livelihoods if UK leaves the European Union - government minister
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here