Unique Cows & Golden RAW Butter

WOW! Everyone enjoying spring-like weather? It's hard not to right? For farmers this gets excitement high when watching Spring grass pop up deep and lush... :)

OK, two reasons for a farm newsletter today! :)

1. A message from my brother Raymond, who is the dairy farmer here at the home farm. (interesting facts about our special cows)

2. Something Special... (regarding RAW Butter) keep reading! :)

 Part 1. - A message from the farmer,This is Raymond the 2^nd brother chiming in today to give you a little backdrop on why we chose the Dutch Belted cows back in 1992... First and foremost what Dad (Alvin), saw in the Dutch Belted breed cows that they function well on little to no grain plus are a great dual purpose breed meaning they can be used for milk or meat. They are known to have a smaller fat particle therefore making the milk almost naturally homogenized and easier to digest.

Another reason Dad was intrigued by this breed is that they are very rare and he thought it would be fun to build back the breed which we have accomplished to some degree. When we started breeding them there were less than 300 registered females in all of the United States, now we have 350 +/- in the eight herds producing milk for Dutch Meadows.

This is all because of a wonderful group of people like you, who believed in and supported our mission to restore these beautiful cattle back on the landscape. Isn’t that cool?

 Dutch Belted cows are a rare, ancient dairy breed originating in the Netherlands before the 17th century, prized by Dutch nobility for their distinctive white band around a black or red body. Imported to the U.S. in 1838, they were featured in P.T. Barnum's circus before establishing a reputation for high-quality milk production. 

 Historical Highlights:

• Origin: Traces back to belted cattle in Austria/Switzerland, developed in the Netherlands in the 1600s. They were originally kept by nobility as "park cattle".
• Arrival in U.S.: Imported in 1838 by D.H. Haight, with notable promotion by P.T. Barnum in 1840 as an "exotic" breed.
• Characteristics: Known for high butterfat, long lactation, and grazing efficiency.
• Status: Almost went extinct in Holland by 1950. They are currently considered "critically rare" in North America.
   

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Part 2. - Interesting facts about our Golden RAW Butter (from these cows)

 Key Health and Nutritional Benefits of our 100% Grass-fed RAW butter

• Higher in Beneficial Fats: Contains up to 500% more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than grain-fed butter, which is associated with reduced inflammation, better immune function, and improved metabolism.
• Superior Nutrient Profile: Rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A, D, E, and K2, which are crucial for vision, bone health, and immune function.
• Improved Heart Health: Provides a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids compared to conventional butter, helping to reduce inflammation and manage cholesterol levels.
• Contains Butyrate: A short-chain fatty acid that supports gut health and reduces inflammation.
• Cleaner Source: Free from added hormones and antibiotics, as cows are raised on pasture rather than in feedlots. 

There you are folks, we gave a bit of insight into our unique cows and Golden Butter...

Until next time,
Dave @ Dutch Meadows