Island Life

What do you get if you take more than 100 Jersey and Guernsey cows, a farm in Somerset, several webcams and a website? Big Udder!

Big Udder

Big Udder is a new online ‘reality’ show that will focus on 110 herdmates as they go about their day on a farm at a secret location in Somerset - with cameras watching their every move over the next 12 months.

Hosted by Davina McCow and Dermot O’Creamy – the show will give you the opportunity to see what Jersey and Guernsey cows get up to on a daily basis.

The website was launched by The Jersey and Guernsey Forum, a group of farmers who keep Jersey and Guernsey cows in England.

Big Udder

A Dairy Expert with the Forum, Dom Lane explained why they’re doing this.

He said “The Jersey and Guernsey Forum are very proud of our Jersey and Guernsey herds and we wanted to re-introduce them to the public in an environment that shows the hard work and commitment that all dairy farmers put in to producing the fantastic milk.

"Knowing that we are all fans of the big TV blockbusters and everyone loves watching other lives unfurl - we thought we would set up some cameras around the farm".

Davina McCow

There are four cameras that can be moved around as needed and will follow the many erdmates including Danish Design, Watfords Tribute, Danish Zorana, Ananas, Hot Ivy, Echo, Emilia, Esmeralda and Elegance.

Dom told the BBC that “The cows are relaxed so we're not expecting any bitching, although there may be some rivalry when the bulls visit.”

Big Udder's four live cameras will operate for a year, allowing people to watch the comings and goings of life on a real dairy farm, from producing milk for butter and cream to giving cows udder checks and the occasional pedicure.

Dermot O'Creamy

There is also information on how technology plays a role in raising cattle and the promise of being able to watch calving live.

The herd at the Big Udder farm was started back in the 1920's with a house cow that lived down the road in an orchard.

Little Udder

The main ‘show’ isn’t the end of it though, much like the television series Big Udder takes its inspiration from - there will be a spin off show hosted by Dermot O’Creamy – Big Udders Little Udder.

Big Udder

The show will keep you posted on calves, new arrivals to the herd and will also feature the Dairy Room where Terry, The Dairy Man who has been looking after this herd for about 14 years will be popping in every week to update viewers on general life on the farm as the seasons change.

Keep an eye on bbc.co.uk/jersey as we'll keep you up to date with what's happening over in Somerset with Big Udder Watch.