Moo-ving experience

Apr 18 2008 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

DAIRY farming brothers have looked east in a bid to relax their herd.

Piers and Tim Dutton, from the 200-acre Upton Grange farm, Long Lane, Upton, are practising Tai Chi in their fields to improve the moo-d of their cows.

Drawing inspiration from China, where farmers have practiced the ancient art since the 17th century, the Federation of Organic Milk Groups (FOMG) has enlisted the services of a Tai Chi Master, or ‘Sifu’, to teach farmers the special moves, renowned for bestowing a mood of wellbeing.

Piers and Tim have mastered the ‘arms like tractor wheels’ moves and can be seen demonstrating it in an online video.

Piers, 54, says: “It’s very relaxing and only takes half a minute. It’s not for increasing milk yields, it just completes the organic ethos in a fun way.

Organic milk sales have rocketed in the last couple of years, says Piers, who owns 97 Holstein, Friesian and Jersey cows.

“It’s really taken off and we’re now getting a much better price for it,” he added.

“We don’t use man-made fertilisers or weed killers. We feed grass with the cows’ manure and cut or dig out weeds. It’s better for the land.

“In organic farming we do our best to maintain a balance with nature and Tai Chi has helped me maintain the inner balance which is reflected in my farm.”

FOMG members have adapted a series of seven traditional Tai Chi routines – one for every day of the week, each assigned a series of easy-to-follow instructions, with names like ‘up with the lark’, ‘lazily buttoning overalls’ and ‘directing the herd’.