Grab your wellies and meet the men, women and children behind Moo milk!
Pyle farm, right on the Somerset/Wiltshire border, is a forward-looking, modern dairy farm. On the one hand it's a traditional family business — run by the Candys who've been working the land for over 350 years. On the other it's a progressive business — a working farm that's also been converted to provide offices, function rooms and catering.
Diana Candy
“If there's no mischief, I'll create it.”
Diana Candy, Pile Farm
Diana has been working on Pyle farm for over 16 years. During this time, she's helped transform the farm — running the popular catering side of the business and producing some legendary local food. When she's not busy cooking up quiches or catching up with the local gossip she can be found helping out on the farm.
Terry Candy
“I used to milk them by hand, but I wasn't much good at it.”
Terry Candy, Pile Farm
Terry's family have been farming for generations. In fact, for about 350 years they farmed the fields around Wanstrow before moving down the road to Pyle farm. “I remember when my mother used to do the milking - she'd sit on an old three-legged stool to do it,” says Terry. “Back then, three milkers used to be able to milk around ten cows an hour; these days with all the modern machinery, one man can milk around 80-100 an hour.”
Paul Candy
“It's beautiful out here in the summer — I guess it's a perk of the job.”
Paul Candy, Pile Farm
Paul is Terry's son and, at 28, he's now running a lot of the farm. Together with the farm's one employee, Paul helps look after the cows and herd them for milking. “Look after them and they'll look after you,” says Paul. And they really do look after their cows. Each one is closely monitored for milk production and health — the farm even has its own nutritionist who makes sure each cow is getting the correct diet.