It's not Magic...It's Cow to Carton

I remember, when I was young, having a "see how it's done" behind-the-scenes video on VHS that explained how magic tricks are performed. (I'm really being vulnerable with my age here...LOL)

I was fascinated by seeing the smoke and mirrors, attention diversion, and sleight of hand that went into making these well-known tricks seem like magic with a big reveal and lots of theatrics.

Even in today's culture, and among the full-grown adults who don't know what a VHS even is, "#BTS" is always alluring because deep down we all want to know what goes on 'behind the scenes' that makes things seem and feel magical. 

Since fresh milk is something near and dear to my heart, I wanted to give a behind-the-scenes look at the farm I trust to provide dairy for my family. Because it's NOT magic. It's just good farming.

A few years ago, I was introduced to Mountain Branch Creamery/Shenandoah Valley Family Farm, started drinking their amazing milk, and have since gotten to know Wayne "my milk man" (as I call him). 

In 2024, I took a tour of his creamery to see firsthand what goes into getting this milk to customers like me.

Because I HAVE seen behind the scenes at Mountain Branch Creamery, I know that the magic is not slick advertising, taglines, or fancy labeling. This milk isn't surrounded by smoke and mirrors... 

It's all due to the care and farming wisdom Wayne and his family put into raising healthy cows on healthy pasture, and his careful practices that provide the freshest, cleanest milk possible. 

It seems magical because this milk goes from cow to carton without ever leaving the farm. 

Besides the taste of this milk, I trust the Beerys to provide milk for my family because their herd is made up of cows with A2A2 genetics. If you've never heard that term before, allow me to get technical for just a moment. 

A2A2 refers to the genetic makeup of the cow being milked. 

Every cow has a chain of 229 amino acids. On link 67, there is either a proline or a histidine casein. If the cow has a proline, then they have the "A2" gene. There can be different combinations - A1A1, A2A2, or A1A2. If both parents of the cow had the A2 beta casein protein, then the cow is A2A2. The genetic makeup of the cow determines the profile of the milk they produce.

Now. What does this mean for us?

If there is a histidine (or A1) casein on the link 67, the milk will release a beta casein morphine 7. This is essentially an enzyme associated with digestive discomfort. This is why many people are led to believe they're lactose intolerant...It's actually an intolerance to the A1 gene that makes milk harder to digest.

A2A2 milk, then, is easier to digest and helps your body use the nutrients in this superfood of 100% grass-fed milk.

If you have not tried grassfed milk, I HIGHLY recommend it. If you pick up from us at the farm or one of our drop sites, you should add this milk to your fridge regularly. It's that good, and because it's so clean, it lasts longer than most milk without going bad!