In a huge boon for the South West’s agriculture sector, Cornwall is set to open the doors of a new major research and innovation dairy farm.

Future Farm, located at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, will be a first of its type for England, with the aim of improving efficiency, welfare and technological advancement in dairy farming.

The facility will not only encourage SMEs to engage in research but benefit the next generation of workers and leaders in the sector, with students from both Duchy College and Bicton College heavily involved.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP, said the launch of the Future Farm project “is a fantastic step forward in research and innovation for the agricultural sector”.

The project is part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), by Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly and CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock).