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Cheshire Dairy Innovators Win Recognition For New Cow-Locating Technology



A family business from Ellesmere Port is celebrating after being highly commended in the New Product competition at the UK’s leading dairy event.


Eye Farm Innovative Dairy Solutions impressed judges at UK Dairy Day 2026, with Cow Locate® standing out in a highly competitive field of eight finalists.


The product provides a precise location for every cow in a housed herd – helping to keep robotic milking moving by finding fetch cows easily and making it quicker and easier to pull cows out for routine health checks or emergency veterinary attention.


“Solving everyday challenges for farmers by saving them time, improving profitability and enhancing animal welfare is our driver for innovation at Eye Farm,” said founder Dave Hawkes.


“Being highly commended in our first New Product competition at such an important event for the UK dairy sector is a welcome endorsement of Cow Locate and its value to farmers. What really excites us, however, is the difference we are already seeing Cow Locate make on our early adopters’ farms."

"For example, being able to locate an individual cow without disturbing or moving others makes working inside the shed safer for farm staff and reduces unnecessary stress for the animals.”


Cow Locate uses a continuous stream of real-time data transmitted wirelessly from collar tags worn by the cows. Using a phone, tablet or PC, farmers can select an individual cow by her unique number or be guided by the health and fertility alerts from Cow Locate – all without needing to be in the shed.


Cow Locate then displays her precise location on a digital map of the shed. Once inside the shed, the cow’s collar tag lights up, along with LED indicators on the antennas above her location, guiding farmers and their teams to find her quickly and efficiently.


“There are more than 450 dairy farms in Cheshire – including mega dairies with over 2,000 cows,” said Dave.

“Herd management involves a range of daily demands, with individual cows needing attention for everything from hoof trimming, insemination and pregnancy checks to health concerns such as mastitis. Being able to locate and bring the right cow out quickly for examination or treatment helps keep the parlour running smoothly, supports successful breeding and maintains overall farm productivity."

"Our hope is that Cow Locate will make a practical difference to dairy farming in Cheshire and beyond, with the potential to benefit the wider UK dairy industry.”


Eye Farm was founded by Dave and his wife Jane in 2025, and the couple have since welcomed their son William, aged 25, to the team following his graduation from Edge Hill University this summer.


Their wider operations, customer service and business development team bring first-hand farming experience – having grown up on family farms or worked in the industry, alongside specialist knowledge of cow fertility and herd management.


“It’s been an incredible first year in business,” said Dave, who spent 14 years specialising in electrical systems for farms before founding Eye Farm.

“More than 350 farms across the UK now use our herd management system, which has continued to evolve with the addition of tools to monitor and prevent heat stress, an automatic sort gate and, most recently, Cow Locate. I would especially like to thank our colleagues at ENGS Systems Ltd.”

Eye Farm are set to unveil their next innovation at Dairy-Tech 2027 – taking place in Stoneleigh Park on 3 February.


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Hill Cross Furniture is proud to announce the appointment of Georgina Louis as Project Manager to lead the company’s newly launched spa division, further strengthening their expertise in bespoke commercial furniture solutions for the wellness and hospitality industry.

  

With over two decades of experience in spa management and operations, Georgina brings a unique client-side perspective to the Hill Cross team.

  

She has overseen luxury wellness operations internationally, most notably at the well renowned BodyHoliday in St Lucia, as well as closer to home at Oulton Hall.

  

Family-owned Hill Cross Furniture based in Cramble Cross, Northallerton, has worked with some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including Grantley Hall, Rockliffe Hall, Disney Cruise Line, Banya No.1 Chiswick and the refurbishment of Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa.

  

Georgina is currently project managing Hill Cross Furniture’s contribution to the all-new spa at Aldwark Manor outside York, supplying bespoke chairs and tables for the spa’s café and restaurant area.

  

The state-of-the-art facility has been built from the ground up and Phase 1 is set for completion in November.

  

Georgina’s appointment marks a key milestone as Hill Cross expands its tailored offering for spa and wellness environments. Her deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by spa managers, designers, and procurement teams positions her perfectly to lead this specialist division.

“In a spa environment, furniture must meet far more demanding requirements than standard hospitality pieces,” explains Georgina. “You’re dealing with high humidity, exposure to oils and treatments, and a need for both durability and luxurious comfort. Sourcing the right furniture, and the right supplier, can be incredibly challenging. That’s where Hill Cross makes a real difference.”

As a former Spa Director, Georgina knows first hand the frustration of finding furniture that is not only fit for purpose but also customisable to align with a spa’s brand identity and guest experience. At Hill Cross, she is especially focused on promoting the company’s re-upholstery service. A solution that offers exceptional value for spas undergoing regular refurbishments or operating under sustainability commitments.

“Re-upholstery is one of those services that spa managers often overlook, but it can extend the life of your investment, reduce waste, and keep your space looking fresh, all without compromising on quality or guest experience.”

Georgina is now actively engaging with her network to introduce Hill Cross’s capabilities in the spa and wellness sector and is currently working on two high-profile spa projects. She welcomes conversations with spa managers, designers, and procurement professionals looking for reliable, creative, and long-term furniture solutions.

  


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