2022 - Volume #46, Issue #4, Page #07
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Water Buffalo Raised For Meat And Dairy
The ranch’s goal is to give others access to water buffalo raw dairy products like milk, kefir, ghee, cheese, butter, and more, and has since expanded to meat from the buffalo.
Founder David Fisher got his start in agriculture on his father’s dairy farm with a herd of Holsteins. He managed a herd of 40 cows for several years before making the family farming operation 100 percent grass-fed and organic.
Fisher received notices from the local conservation district about soil erosion concerns on his farm. The property had several steep hills that triggered washouts in bad weather.
Fisher transitioned his 100-acre farm to a grass-fed operation and made one more significant change - he switched the focus to water buffalo.
On average, one water buffalo will produce between 10 and 15 lbs. of milk a day, while a Holstein can produce 50 pounds or more. Each buffalo can be milked twice a day and will produce for 6 to 7 mos. at a time before going dry, a period that lasts between 3 to 6 mos.
Thus, large herds are necessary if you plan to have dairy production at scale. Even so, water buffalo remain the second-largest source of milk suppliers in the world. Their milk contains twice the fat content of traditional dairy, making for a richer and creamier product that many customers believe tastes sweeter, too.
The farm also specializes in A2 dairy products. This variety of milk lacks a form of casein proteins called A1, and instead contains A2 proteins. The structure of A2 protein is similar to breastmilk, and it’s found in milk from sheep, goats, and buffalo. Many find these dairy products are easier to digest and lead to less gas, bloating, and diarrhea, especially for those who deal with lactose intolerance.
Pricing for Buffalo Valley products varies by location due to delivery fees. For example, pricing throughout West Michigan comes to $7/lb. for butchered water buffalo, $16.19/lb. for water buffalo brisket, and $25/lb. for water buffalo filet mignon. Sign up for an online account to determine if shipping is available for your area.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Buffalo Valley Pastures, 114 Pumping Station Road, Quarryville, Penn. 17566 (ph 215-962-5794; www.bvpmarket.com).
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