Judy the cow goes to school

Judy the Ayreshire dairy cow enjoyed a visit to Y Bont Faen Primary School, Cowbridge, in Glamorgan, recently where she met over 260 pupils and the teachers and showed them how she is milked.

"A fantastic learning experience that was enjoyed by both the children and teachers alike," was how Y Bont Faen primary school headmistress, Mrs Dodd, summed up Judy the cow's visit, which was organised as part of the local 'Food for Thought Project'.

The 'Food for Thought Project', run across South Wales by Lynette Thomas and Charlotte Edwards, gives primary school pupils an overview of where food comes from, how the farmer produces the food and how to make healthy living choices. As part of the project a local farmer visits the school with a dairy cow and a portable milking machine and gives a milking demonstration. John Lougher from Pyle, Bridgend and Rob Granville take it in turns to visit local schools with one of their cows.

Rob Granville, his wife Cath and daughter Mary Jane took their cow, Judy along to Y Bont Faen primary school. Rob said, "The children seemed to really enjoy the demonstration and I think Judy enjoyed the attention just as much."

The project is supported by a number of organisations including NFU Cymru, who along with the Welsh Assembly Government recently provided financial funding for the purchase of a new portable milking machine which will enable the project to continue.

John Lougher, local NFU Cymru member said, "We are very grateful to the Welsh Assembly Government and NFU Cymru for their support and it has enabled us to keep this demonstration going which can only benefit the children of South Wales."