Shropshire farmer's sadness as Mammoth, the face of dairy campaign, dies
A cow that inspired thousands of people to join a campaign to help dairy farmers get a fairer price for milk has died.
Farmer Nicky Harris, 49, said she was devastated by the death of Mammoth, who died suddenly of kidney failure aged 10.
The Friesian gained more than 3,000 supporters on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube and well over 1,000 people have signed an online petition.
Her campaign was launched through a short film in 2014 after milk prices plummeted, threatening the future of dairy farmers across the UK.
Nicky, who runs the farm near Shrewsbury with her brother John, said they could be months away from closure as they now receive just 16 pence a litre – down 14 pence in 18 months, with prices expected to drop even further.
Despite the death of Mammoth, Nicky will continue the campaign in a last-ditch attempt to save their future. "I'm absolutely devastated," she said. "Mammoth died without pain but my heart aches so much.
"Her loss is unbearable but this campaign will continue in her name as her legacy.
"RIP Mammoth – you have been an amazing companion and have helped make an incredible difference.
"And there could be yet more pain ahead as I can see that, unless things improve, we'll have to stop farming later this year.
"This time it will be the death of a farm my family has been running for more than 60 years. This is a loss I don't think I'll be able to bear.
"So for Mammoth, our farm and dairy farmers across the UK, please support our campaign.
"Then once we have more support we will have more power to take action.
"Please, please, please help me save our industry."
Even though the campaign has yet to secure an increase in milk prices, it has helped raise awareness of mental health problems among farmers, at the same time signposting places where they can get help.
Awareness
It has also highlighted the impact of farms on their local community.
This saw the production of another short film.
"Mammoth may not have got a higher milk price yet but she has definitely helped raise loads of awareness and who knows maybe saved lives too," said Nicky."
