Yester Farm Dairies near Gifford wins Farmers Weekly Diversification Farmer of the Year

An East Lothian dairy family has been celebrating at what they call the Oscars of the farming world. Simon and Jackie McCreery of Yester Farm Dairies, near Gifford, received the Farmers Weekly Diversification Farmer of the Year award at a ceremony in London in early October.

The farm has transformed itself from a bottled milk business into a producer of cottage cheese, soft cheese, Greek-style yoghurt, creme fraiche and soured cream for major UK retailers. It was also the first Scottish cheese to be exported to Spain, where it is now on supermarket shelves.

The McCreerys began diversifying in 2003 by selling branded milk directly to customers and shops. After first outsourcing processing and bottling, they built their own pasteurisation plant in 2007, converted a grain shed into a soft cheese factory in 2015, and by 2018 had moved fully into soft cheese production.

Today the business processes milk from its own herd as well as from four neighbouring family-run dairy farms. Cereals grown on the farm are used to feed the cows, and all the milk produced on site is turned into finished products.

When the business was shortlisted, Farmers Weekly judges praised its very impressive expansion and growth plans and its ability to pivot and diversify to suit changing markets. Yester Farm Dairies saw off competition from Balmaud Distillery in Aberdeenshire and Penllyn Estate Farm in Wales to take the title. The award was sponsored by the Hawkstone beer brand and presented at the Farmers Weekly Awards, which recognise achievements across UK agriculture in 14 categories.

Simon McCreery said diversification had always been about finding ways to add value as farmers while keeping the family farm at the heart of the business. After the win, the family thanked their whole team on the farm and in the dairy, saying the award meant a huge amount to farming folk.

Looking ahead, the family plans to increase production significantly, with a target of at least 150 tonnes a week in 2027, and to grow its presence in UK and European markets.

To find out more about the farm and its products, visit the Yester Farm Dairies website.