On-farm dairy using your own milk

Farm shop and deli buyers, restaurants, visitors to your farm gate and customers at markets or online.

Finished products sell at far higher prices than milk sold in bulk, with extra income from farm gate sales, tastings or visits.

• Animal care and milking
• Food hygiene and recipe consistency
• Marketing a local food brand

• Dairy premises usually need approval and inspection, so check requirements with your local council before building
• Rules on selling raw milk differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check where you are
• Animal welfare, livestock registration and milk testing requirements apply, so check with the relevant agency
• Check planning permission and mortgage or tenancy terms if you are converting farm buildings
• Insurance including public and product liability, and the heavy daily workload of milking

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £150,000, depending on the size of your herd or flock, any building conversion and the equipment you need. These are estimates, so get your own quotes before committing.

Dairy premises usually need approval and inspection, so check with your local council before building. Rules on selling raw milk differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Also check animal welfare, livestock registration and milk testing requirements with the relevant agency.

Estimates suggest at least around 40 hours a week, and monthly revenue typically around £2,500 to £12,000, depending on your products and sales routes. Expect a heavy daily workload because the animals need milking every day.