Excitement Grows Around Jersey’s Revitalised Dairy Industry

Jersey Dairy Farmer Reconsiders Exit as New Policies Revive Industry Confidence

A leading Jersey dairy farmer who had been on the verge of leaving the sector says renewed government support has breathed new life into the island’s dairy industry.

Tom Perchard, of La Ferme Farm in St Martin, supplies around 15% of Jersey’s milk. As the second-largest producer on the island, he had grown increasingly concerned over the rising costs of feed, fertiliser, seed, land, and transport — factors that had made dairy farming feel unsustainable.

“We were going to pack it in,” he admitted, “but there’s been a shift — there’s a real buzz about the industry now.”

The change of heart follows a significant shift in local government policy, including a major boost in funding for rural and marine industries.

In November 2024, Jersey’s States Assembly voted unanimously to increase support for the agricultural sector — a decision hailed by the industry as transformational.

Philip Le Maistre, chair of the Jersey Milk Marketing Board, described the move as “a landmark decision” and praised Deputy Steve Luce for championing the cause.

“The reintroduction of the agricultural loan scheme has been a game-changer,” Le Maistre said in his annual review. “With £10 million available at a 3% rate, farms can finally invest in the infrastructure they desperately need.”

For Perchard, this meant the purchase of a new milking parlour to support his 300 Jersey cows — a decision he says wouldn’t have been possible without renewed confidence in the future.

“We’ve turned a corner,” he said. “We’re now a good news story for Jersey agriculture. But the reality is — this depends on continued government support.”

The mood across the sector has lifted, but stakeholders remain clear: long-term stability relies on policy consistency and investment in farming’s future.