BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM

BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM - Hello Organic food formula friends, this article discuss about BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM, we have been providing a full article about BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM. Hopefully this article useful for you

BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM

A new Irish organic milk will hit selected shelves very soon. Ballymore Farm's Organic Whole Milk is non-homogenised, and will retail in glass bottles for E2 per Litre. The team also produce Ireland's first raw milk butter, as well as their own fruit and natural yoghurts.

A husband and wife team - Aidan Harney and Mary Davis – along with their business partner Joey Bourke own and operate the processing and distribution end, called Ballymore Farm.

Aidan milks 70 cows and operates the farm with business partner Ian Patterson.

“We wanted to create a business that wasn't dependent on the farm.” Aidan tells me. “So when we grow we can move the processing elsewhere if necessary - somewhere better serviced for processing, such as an industrial estate.”

Bringing in a partner has helped the farm grow too. “The farm needed to be driven on. We've expanded the farm, and I can work more on the processing”.

The Ballymore Eustace farm, on the Kildare-Wicklow border, was milking 50 cows until recently, but has added 20 cows from Mary and Gerry Kelly of Moonshine Organic diary. (The Westmeath couple are retiring from farming).

Before starting organic conversion in 2008, the farm primarily carried Holstein Friesians. “Its heavy soil, boggy, only suitable for grazing, with lots of marginal land. The drier the year the better. I can't let the cows out too early” he says, pointing out that they are only going out now, in late March.

The focus has moved towards milk quality and robustness. “We needed a more traditional cow, one that would suit the system better” according to Aidan.

Breeds carried are British Freisens, with Montbeliarde through them, and Jerseys. “The cross with a Jersey has improved the milk solids, butterfat and protein. The cross creates hybrid vigor, and the general health of the animal is improved.”

“I intend to breed Jersey for a year or two, then British Friesian. A British Friesian with a Jersey bull will bring them back in size and add hardiness. “Animal health is a huge issue for me now. In organics, I don't have the magic pill or injection anymore. So I want an animal that can take care of itself, one that is less likely to get sick.”

In cases of ill health, he uses homeopathy, and only uses antibiotics in emergencies, when a vet is required.

He thinks the Kelly's Ayrshires will also be robust: “I was wary at first because they are small, but they are good hardy strong little cows. They can take more hardship than freisens, but are yielding well so far. They probably will suit the heavier soil a bit better.”

We discussed yield. “I'm not really pushing for yield. We don't push the holsteins anyway. We do buy in some wheat and peas off Trevor Harris, a local organic farmer. If you stuff them, they will milk, but we haven't been doing that because of the organic system.”

From the Holstein Freisen, his yield was about 1300 gallons. The new Ayrshires are just 150 gallons below that.

The score, however, is worth noting. For his 12-15 litres a day, the butterfat is now 4.2%; protein 3.5%.

When supplying the main organic processor, he wasn't being paid on solids. And when selling to Glanbia, the score was 3.7% butterfat, 3.2% protein. He would now actually get a very good price, were he still in conventional.

Now, Adain has a more direct connection with his customers, who are going to get a really creamy milk, one with a terroir, and a taste that changes slightly through the seasons. Local stores, specialist shops, Naas farmers' market and the Dublin food Co-op are where lucky customers will get to taste this milk.

And becuase its not homogenised, the cream will rise to the top.

“The Kelly's very kindly also passed on their customer base” Aidan informs me. In my own experience of Mary and Gerry Kelly, I have to say I'm not suprised. I'm sure others will join me in wishing them a happy retirement. May the Moon keep Shining for many a long year.

That's our discussion regarding BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM

that's all organic foot formula BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM, I hope this article was useful for you.

You 're reading an article BALLYMORE ORGANIC MILK: YUM and this article permalink is https://organic-food-formula.blogspot.com/2012/03/ballymore-organic-milk-yum.html I hope this article about was useful for you.