Every day, thousands of dairy calves are separated from their mothers at birth. A Dairy Story follows a husband-and-wife team as they risk everything to prove there’s another way.
David and Wilma Finlay have transformed their farm in southwest Scotland from conventional to regenerative and, most radically, pioneering commercial scale cow-with-calf dairy farming. Filmed over two years, A Dairy Story shows their determination to reinvent dairy farming by putting nature and animal welfare first. Following calves from birth to weaning, we see the herd’s profound capacity for maternal care in the sweeping beauty of the Scottish landscape.
This is a story about the bonds that matter most. It addresses universal themes of connection, and topics of animal sentience, the environment and system change.
A Dairy Story shows how changing a farming system changes everything; from the lives of the animals to the wellbeing of the farmers, and perhaps even the future of dairy farming itself.
Film Specifications
Runtime: 78 minutes
Completion: August 2025
Shooting Format: 4K Digital
Aspect Ratio: 2:1
Sound: 5.1
Language: English with optional subtitles available
Available Formats: DCP
Production Notes
A Dairy Story was filmed over two years using primarily a single camera approach that prioritised minimal interference with the farm’s daily operations. Filming took place across all seasons, capturing the full cycle of farm life from spring calving through winter housing.
The production was guided by a commitment to animal welfare, with all filming conducted in accordance with the farm’s existing low-stress routines and the animals’ comfort levels. To minimise stress for the cows and calves we moved slowly with intention and gentleness, building trust through familiarity.
The documentary incorporates archive footage by Sid Ambrose and Bruce McKenzie, which provides context for David and Wilma’s pioneering work.
Credits
Directed, filmed and edited by Ian Findlay
Written and produced by Lorna Young
Original score by Finlay Harrison & Lewis Findlay
Archive footage by Bruce McKenzie & Sid Ambrose
Filmmaker’s Statement
We knew that others needed to see what Wilma and David had accomplished over two decades, so we began documenting. Our approach was to step back, stay quiet, and let the farm speak for itself.
At all times we were mindful that we were guests in the cows and calves’ home. We followed the seasons, the animals, and Wilma and David’s lead, allowing their story to unfold in its own time and on its own terms.
Several high-profile films have shone a spotlight on animal welfare issues in the dairy industry. This is a film about a potential solution, developed by two people who chose to trust nature over industry convention.
We set out to tell the story of the transformation of a farm. What we captured was so much more. At its heart this film asks what makes a life worth living. In Wilma and David’s love for each other, and in the bonds between the dairy cows and their calves, we find an answer.
The result is what we hope feels less like a documentary and more like an invitation to step inside a world where doing the right thing matters more than doing what’s expected.
Ian Findlay & Lorna Young