Gemma Smale-Rowland, South West Farmer's 2018 Young Farmer of the Year, has launched a new consumer brand, 'Cornish Moo'.

In a bid to bring back the breakfast table staple of cream topped milk in traditional glass bottles, Gemma aims to supply non-standardised, non-homogenised milk to customers direct from the farm. Customers will also have the unusual opportunity for to refill using a self-service vending machine, which she has installed at the family farm at North Petherwin, Launceston.

Gemma has grown her own herd of pedigree Holstein cows, which started with an animal given to her for her 21st birthday by her parents. She is planning to build a network of local stockists so customers further afield can enjoy her milk. Whilst the milk is pasteurised, it is non-standardised which means every bottle will have a slightly different mix of cream to milk, and therefore bring a unique taste.

Gemma said: “My cows graze on pastures for as many days throughout the year as the British weather will allow. We believe strongly in high standards of animal health.

“Every bottle will be ever so slightly different. The cream settles to the top, and each bottle is unique.

“It’s about traceability. You know exactly where your milk has come from, as well as enabling customers to re-use and re-fill their bottles. It’s gone full circle from when we used to have milk delivered in glass bottles by the milkman.”