BUSINESS for her to sell the product, and Eby says this is a common sentiment among the retailers who carry his product. Teaming up with specialty groceries and health food stores made sense, given recent food trends. “There’s a major shift back to more natural, holistic foods,” Eby says. Since he didn’t have a strong opinion of his own about genetically modified crops, this decision was based purely on consumer demand. “It gives us more market opportunities and because of the characteristics of the Guernsey milk, the health food stores gravitate to it and most of them are really trying to become non-GMO.” Eby says it was a real eye-opener to see how controversial genetic modification is among his customers, and he was surprised to learn it was an even bigger issue than organic certification. Nor do the controversies stop there. Guernsey supporters are famously proud of their quality, saying Guernsey milk is naturally higher in beta-carotene, giving it a golden colour, and it is higher in omega-3 as well, and the World Guernsey Cattle Federation says their milk also contains 12 per cent more protein, 33 per cent more vitamin D, 25 per cent more vitamin A and 15 per cent more calcium than the average glass of milk. Newer debates focus on A2 protein, a variant of beta-casein that some sources are linking to health benefits, including lower risks of digestive irritability, skin rashes, autism, schizophrenia and diabetes. In 2002, an Australian study proposed that the A1 variant, found in
higher levels in standard milk, could also lead to more plaque accumulation in arteries. In 2004, the EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to support many of the health claims associated with the A2 protein variant. Still, Eby says he’s seen enough anecdotal evidence he is now using A2 scores to select bulls for his herd. Eby says it’s often difficult for customers to understand the results they see. “We’ve had people ask us what we put in the milk or what we feed our cows that’s different,” Eby says. “We don’t go out and put down other breeds, but we tell them every breed’s milk is unique. Just like apples.” Education seems to come complimentary with every bottle issued. Eby says as more people come to appreciate the qualities of the milk, more market opportunities present themselves. He says just recently, for instance, a number of cafés have started using his Guernsey milk because they discovered it creates a denser foam for cappuccinos and lattes. As he talks about how the farm is just beginning to work with a new distributor to expand into Hamiliton, Eby gets excited about what could develop next. “If we didn’t really like what we were doing, it would be the pits,” Eby confides. “But when it’s your dream and you’re really pumped about it, it’s a bit of a rush.” CG
Join the movement.
Optimize weed control with an integrated weed management plan on farm.
The potential for herbicide resistant weeds has been a reality for decades. While the concern is significant to growers, it is also manageable. There are a number of actions you can take to start clean and stay clean. Visit www.rrwms.ca to find out how to implement a successful weed management strategy for your farm. The solution takes all of us. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Monsanto and vine design and Roundup Ready® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada, Inc. licensee. ©2013 Monsanto Canada Inc. M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 3
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