Guernsey milk in the News:
Channel 5 News contacted me a few weeks ago as they were interested in the A2 properties of Guernsey Milk. Derek Moody of Prosperous Home Farm at Hungerford had put them in touch as they wanted to know about the background information.
88% of the protein in milk is Beta Casein and the varients are A1, A2, B, C, D and E. But in practical terms the important Casein’s are A1 and A2. Genetically cows can be one of 3 Genotypes A1xA1, A1xA2 and A2xA2 but the genes are codominant so that a cow that is A1xA2 will give half her milk as A1 protein and half as A2. For more information regarding the science take a look at the A2Corporation website.
Guernseys produce milk that is naturally high in the protein Beta Casein A2, all of the tests that EGCS have initiated in the UK have proven the milk to have more than 90% of the Beta Casein present as the A2 variant.
There are other breeds with A2 cows but at a much lower level eg Jerseys are typically 40% A2 whilst the ubiquitous Holstein is at around 15% A2.
The proven difference between Beta Casein A1 and Beta Casein A2 occurs during digestion when the A1 protein gives rise to beta- casomorphin 7 whilst the A2 protein does not release this.
It is thought that the beta-casomorphin is responsible for the adverse health effects, but more research is needed.
Professor Woodford in New Zealand has brought all the various research papers together in a book titled “the Devil in the Milk” and this makes a persuasive case for those in the vulnerable groups to seek out and change to Guernsey milk.
Sainsburys in the UK did for a while use Guernsey milk in their “Taste the Difference” range but have now changed to a mix of predominantly Jersey milk, Tesco Finest is also a mix of Jersey and Guernsey milk.
There are a few Guernsey Producer Retailers and I will list their contact numbers and range of products separately.
Human milk, Goat milk, Sheep milk and Buffalo milk are all A2 milks and it is probably significant that those who suffer from “milk intolerance” change to these milks to alleviate their symptoms.
If you would like more detail please contact me directly, I would like to thank Catherine Jones and Emma Slifkin of Channel 5 for their interest and the way they have presented the potential benefits of Guernsey milk to the general public.
Click here to see the Channel 5 report by Catherine Jones and subsequent feedback. This will open a new page.
Links and contact details for Guernsey milk producers who retail their milk products.
Berkeley Farm Dairy, Wroughton, Wiltshire 01793 814343 (N Gosling)
Bocaddon Farm, Liskeard, Cornwall. 01503 220245 (R Maiklem) E-mail: rob@bocaddonfarm.com
Briddlesford Lodge Farm, Isle of Wight .01983 882239 ( L Griffin)
Brymor Dairy, Masham, North Yorkshire.
Devonshire Farmhouse, Chagford, Devon. 01647 433170 (Ian Vincent)
Ermie and Gertie. (Ian Sinclair)
Hinxden Dairy, Cranbrook, Kent. 01580 240685 (Dee Manford)
Holmleigh Dairy, Donnington. 01451 831370 (Julian Hughes)
Hurdlebrook Farm, Babcary, Somerset.
Kelsmor Farm, Garway Common, Herefordshire.
Kiln Farm, Alderney. 01481 824867 (Mike & Clare Cox)
Lacey’s Family Farm, South Buckinghamshire. 01494 881979 (Gideon or Dawn Lacey)
Prosperous Home Farm, Hungerford. 01488 684557 (Derek Moody)
Suffolk Farmhouse, Coddenham, Suffolk.
Tiresford Guernsey Gold, Tarporley, Cheshire.
Treen Farm, St Levan, Cornwall. 01736 810273 (Chris Hall)