AN award-winning Oakworth farmer has invested in a state-of-the-art automatic milking system with support from the Yorkshire Bank.

Jonathan Sharp has installed the two milking 'robots' at 200-acre Tewitt Hall Farm after agreeing a six-figure funding deal with the bank.

The new system enables the cows to be milked more regularly and be fed during the process.

It also analyses the quality of the milk and provides data on the health of the animals.

Once the venture is fully operational, milk yields from the 125-strong Holstein herd are expected to increase by about a fifth.

"Working with milking robots has been a steep learning curve for us all – although it's fair to say the cows have definitely found the process easier than I have," said Mr Sharp.

"From discussions we've had with other farmers who have installed similar robots, most say it takes around a year to achieve the anticipated yield increase for the whole herd.

"So there's still a long way to go, but we're definitely getting into the swing of things now."

Mr Sharp was also supported by the Yorkshire Bank in 2012 when he installed a wind turbine at the farm, where he lives with wife Emma.

"The turbine has been a tremendously successful addition to our farm and will pay for itself in five years," said Mr Sharp, who in March was named Green Farmer of the Year in an awards scheme run by Keighley News sister publication Northern Farmer.

"The continued support from Yorkshire Bank has given us the confidence to go ahead and look at new ways of doing things to secure the viability of our farm for another generation."

Ian Hardman, from the bank, said: "Tewitt Hall Farm is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when those driving a business forward are ambitious and willing to look at new approaches.

"Jonathan and Emma are not only excellent business people, but great ambassadors for the dairy farming industry.

"As economic conditions continue to improve, we remain focused on continuing to support the growth ambitions of businesses."