Dairy farming in Sark nearing end as cows moved

Sark's dairy industry faces an uncertain future as the last remaining milking cows are being relocated from the island. Tenant farmers Jason and Katherine Salisbury have announced their departure from Sark Dairy at the end of April, with no replacements lined up to take over their duties. This development marks a significant transition for the island, with immediate efforts focusing on keeping a beef industry afloat while new dairy farmers are sought. Maj Christopher Beaumont, chairman of the Sark Dairy Trust, indicated that there's potential to develop a beef market in cooperation with Guernsey farms as a stop-gap measure until a fresh start for dairy production can be attempted.

The Salisburys' exit encapsulates years of hard work, with Jason Salisbury describing the final departure as 'heart-wrenching'. The couple expressed sadness over leaving Sark, after having invested considerable 'love, sweat, and tears' into the dairy business. Despite relocating the majority of the dairy herd to Guernsey, they plan to leave behind the beef cattle bred locally. The island's final milking day is slated for April 18, marking an end of an era for Sark's dairy operations.

Beaumont relayed optimism for eventual revival, contingent on the recruitment of new farmers who will essentially have to rebuild the dairy foundation from scratch. The trust remains hopeful in nurturing a temporary beef industry which could sustain until new dairymen are appointed, utilizing existing cattle resources from Guernsey. This adaptive strategy speaks volumes about the resilient spirit of Sark’s dairy sector amidst the challenge of transitioning and preserving its agricultural heritage.