Dairy farmer presented with royal award for his services to the sector

"We want the next generation to be excited about the industry," said Mr Evans

"We spend time coaching our labour which we think helps with staff retention. We also like to give people equity in the business so they feel invested in it.”

Mr Evans and his wife Mary currently run three units in Leicestershire, one of which is organic.

"For us it is not about producing more milk, it is about doing the job better and giving staff a better environment to work in," he added.

"For example we try to give staff a Friday off. We can do that by improving processes and not thorough equipment."

While robots will have a vital role to play in dairy farms in the future Mr Evans said said more research and development was needed.

"I have seen too many failed businesses as a result of robotics," he said.

"Robots are the solution in the future but not as they are now."

He would like to see innovative solutions, for example a herringbone parlour which automatically put cups on the cows’ teats.

This would enable a business to increase efficiency and reduce labour requirements without having to invest in a whole new system.