Twenty-one international students have met cows for the first time at Askham Bryan College as they learned about the UK farming industry.

The group was made up of students aged 13 to 18, who all study a cookery course at ESF Island School in Hong Kong. The visit to the college was part of a culinary and cultural tour of Yorkshire, so they could learn more about farming and food production.

Chantelle Astley, the college’s recently appointed farm manager, led the tour, which gave the students a look at ABC’s dairy and beef units, and its 280 hectares of farmland.

“Many had never seen cows or sheep before and were full of questions about everything to do with farming,” she said. “They particularly loved feeding the calves and were surprised at the size and scale of the farm and indeed the size of the cows! It was great to be able to explain what’s involved in agriculture and to share their enthusiasm.”

The college currently has a 240-strong milking herd of Holstein and Holstein-cross cows, as well as 300 ewes.