WHERE better to have "cow talk" than at Askham Bryan College in York?

An open day organised for farmers from all over Britain by the Milk Development Council was held at the college, which is investing heavily in both beef and dairy units as part of a £2million programme.

Plans include a new Food Chain Technology Centre to demonstrate food production from field to fork.

The college was recently recognised by the Government as a Centre of Vocational Excellence, confirming its leading status within the industry and education.

The gathering, to discuss techniques in dairy production, yields and bovine diseases took place amid the college's new dairy unit completed this spring.

It now houses 140 Holstein Friesian cows and two new milking parlours.

The rapid exit parlour is used for about 100 cows, with the remainder going through a new fully automated, robotic, or "voluntary milking system" where the cows themselves decide when they want to be milked.

With the new facilities bedded in, the stage is set for the college to expand its herd to 200 plus milkers - and to enlighten the nation's farming students and experts

Kevin Kendall, the college's assistant director of food farming and innovation said: "We are now planning to take our milk, and beef work a stage further, with the building of a milk processing line to produce cheese, and a beef processing line to cut and pack meat for sale."

Investment in a beef unit, similar to that undertaken in dairying, is now under way.

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, October 06, 2004