Plans for the UK’s first mega herd have been resubmitted with less than half the original number of cows proposed.

Nocton Dairies’ new proposal initially provides for 3,770 cows – just 45% of the 8,100-strong herd first envisaged. An application to extend the Lincolnshire herd to the 8,100 mark will then be submitted 18 months later.

The change comes in response to widespread criticism of the plans by consumers and animal welfare groups. Nocton had already

“We aim to demonstrate that the farm, once operational, will cause little local impact and work well from an environmental and welfare perspective,” said Nocton director David Barnes.

“This is before we consider any expansion, which would have to be the subject of a brand-new planning application.”

He added: “We’re very conscious of concerns about water, public health, smell, traffic and welfare, and need to prove that this farming model is sustainable in that particular location.  The advantage is we’ve got a brand new site and we can design all this in from the start, rather than having to adapt an older farm to deal with modern requirements.”

Responding to the move, Friends of the Earth's Sandra Bell said: "Nocton's promoters have scaled down their plans for now but with a view to expanding them in the future, and they still plan to cram their cows into massive sheds, rather than graze them outdoors.

"The introduction of US-style mega dairies would force small farmers out of business and push the UK's farming sector further towards crisis."

She added: "Instead of subsidising farming like this, the government should be using taxpayers' money to support the planet-friendly farms that people in the UK want and that could help create a thriving farming sector."

A full analysis of the revised plan, by fresh foods reporter Richard Ford, will appear in this weekend’s edition of The Grocer.

Read more
Nocton herd application will proceed (9 October 2010)
Nocton lets out its cows following public pressure (14 August 2010)
Second mega dairy herd plan under fire (12 June 2010)
Nocton Dairies postpones plans for dairy megaherd (17 April 2010)