And Brian’s not the only one. Increasing numbers of visitors are making the trip to Mr Moo’s at Southfield House Farm, near Skipsea in East Yorkshire, to sample the wonderfully high quality ice cream churned fresh from the farm’s own herd of Friesians.

Stephen and Judith Foreman are two of the stars of a new breed of Yorkshire farmers, who are finding exciting ways to add value to their traditional products. And in an increasingly tough industry, creative thinking is becoming the only way to make a living from the land.

The Foremans are certainly creative. Wise to the glee with which children greet the scatological, one of the Mr Moo’s bestsellers is an elaborate, gasp-inducing confection, involving a double chocolate cookie, two scoops of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips, coco sprinkles, a spiral biscuit, wafers, a dollop whipped cream, twirled with generous squirts of chocolate sauce. The name of this glorious concoction? The Cowpat. Irresistible.

But there’s also a very grown-up element to this thriving business. As well as the milk, sourced directly from the farm, the pair strive to use local ingredients to flavour their ice cream. So hungry visitors are able to sample ices featuring Yorkshire honey, fruit and even lavender.

The ice cream parlour and coffee shop – created from an old farm-outbuilding – also offers light lunches and teas. Customers sated on such delights as marzipan, banoffee or tiramisu-flavoured ice cream can even take some home, in special insulated tubs.

Stephen says membership of the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber (RFGYH) which is part-funded by Yorkshire Forward, has been invaluable in the development of the Mr Moo’s venture.

‘The regional development manager for our area is Linda Carter and she’s helped our business a lot,’ he explains, ‘She’s introduced us to lots of sizeable farm shops, which now stock our ice cream. And she’s prompted us to attend several events under the RFGYH’s Deliciouslyorkshire banner, which have been very beneficial.

‘Linda came to visit at the very start of our business and she continues to keep us in touch with what’s going on in the rest of the region.’

In fact, although the Deliciouslyorkshire food festivals have been the most beneficial to their business, Stephen and Judith have particularly enjoyed the RFGYH’s networking events.

Stephen explains, ‘We’re so busy with the farm and making ice cream and running the tea shop. It’s fantastic to feel part of a wider network of people – people who are doing similar things and who have a similar outlook.’

As the business grows, the pair are looking towards taking part in one of the RFGYH’s Meet the Buyer events, which introduce Yorkshire food and drink producers to key buyers.

‘We think the Meet the Buyer events are a fantastic idea,’ says Stephen, ‘And it’s good to know that as we grow, the RFGYH are there to help us take those next steps.’

But that’s for the future. Currently, the Mr Moos name and fame is spreading slowly and surely across Yorkshire. So if you can’t make it to Skipsea, never fear. The enterprising Foremans supply a host of farm shops across the region, including The Balloon Tree at Gate Helmsley, York; Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe; Manor Farm Shop, Hutton Cranswick and Springdale Farm Shop, Beverley. Just keep one eye open for a certain Yorkshire celebrity chef, stocking up on his favourite ice cream.

Mr Moo’s recently received a 2nd place award for Best Alternative Rural Enterprise at the Great Yorkshire Show.

For more information visit www.mrmoos.co.uk