OUR STORY
2nd Generation Family-Owned Business
Welcome to Dixie Park Dairying, a small family-owned and operated dairy farm located in the heart of the South West Victoria. Our family has been producing high-quality milk for generations, and we take great pride in our commitment to sustainable and ethical farming practices.
We believe in supporting our local community, and we strive to make a positive impact through our work. That's why we work directly with local businesses wherever possible.
Thank you for visiting Dixie Park Dairying. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our passion for farming with you.
OUR COWS
Happy & Healthy
At Dixie Park Dairying, our cows are our top priority.
We provide them with the best possible care, ensuring that they are well-fed, healthy, comfortable and happy. This translates into the milk that we produce, which is rich, creamy, and full of flavor.
Here are some of the ways we care for our cattle:
High-Quality Feed
We provide our cows with a balanced diet that includes high-quality hay, silage, and grains. We work with a nutritionist to ensure that our cows are getting the right nutrients in the right amounts to keep them healthy.
Freedom of Movement
We practice rotational grazing, which means that we divide our pastures into smaller sections and rotate the cows between them. This allows the grass to grow back while the cows graze in other areas, ensuring that our cows always have access to fresh, high-quality grass. We believe in giving our cows plenty of space to move around and exercise.
Shelter
While our cows live outside, we do provide them with shelter in the form of shade trees and windbreaks. This protects them from the elements and provides them with a comfortable place to rest.
Clean Water
We provide our cows with access to clean, fresh water at all times. We have multiple water sources throughout our pastures to ensure that our cows are always hydrated.
Regular Health Checks
We monitor our cows' health closely, and we have a veterinarian visit regularly to check on our cows and provide any necessary medical care. We also provide our cows with vaccinations and preventative treatments to protect them from diseases.
Low-Stress Environment
We take steps to minimize stress on our cows, such as handling them gently and keeping them in appropriate social groups. This helps to keep our cows calm and relaxed, which promotes their overall health and well-being, as well as milk production!
Overall, we strive to create a safe, healthy, and stress-free environment for our cows.
PASTURE BASED
Grass is Good
Seasonal variation in milk flavor due to changes in a cow's diet, particularly in the context of grass-fed cows, is a well-documented phenomenon. This variation occurs because the composition of the cow's diet changes with the seasons, which, in turn, affects the flavor and composition of the milk they produce.
Here's how it works:
Dietary Changes
In many regions, the availability and nutritional content of pasture and forage change significantly throughout the year. During the spring and summer months, when grasses and other forage plants are actively growing and lush, cows graze on these green, nutrient-rich pastures. In contrast, during the winter, cows may rely more on stored forages, hay, or other supplemental feeds that are not as lush or nutritionally dense.
Nutritional Composition
The nutritional composition of the cow's diet has a direct impact on the milk's flavor and composition. Lush, green pastures are rich in various nutrients. These plants can impart unique flavors and aromas to the milk. Additionally, the seasonal variation in the plant's growth and composition can result in changes in the milk's fat content, protein content, and other components.
Flavor Complexity
Grass-fed cows often produce milk with a more complex and nuanced flavor profile compared to cows on grain-based diets. This complexity can include hints of herbaceous, floral, or earthy notes in the milk, which can vary with the changing plant species and stages of growth throughout the seasons.
Storage of Nutrients
Cows are also known to store certain nutrients in their body fat, and these nutrients can be released into the milk when the cows consume different diets. For example, cows grazing on fresh spring grass may produce milk with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene, giving the milk a slightly different flavor and color.
Microbial Changes
Seasonal variations can also influence the microbial composition of a cow's rumen (the first stomach), which plays a role in digesting the food. These microbial changes can impact the cow's metabolism and the flavor of the milk.
It's important to note that while these seasonal variations can be appreciated by some consumers who enjoy the unique flavors associated with grass-fed milk, they can also be subtle and may not be noticeable to everyone.
In summary, the flavor of milk from grass-fed cows can vary seasonally due to changes in the cow's diet, which, in turn, affects the milk's nutritional composition and flavor profile. This variation is one of the factors that contribute to the unique qualities of grass-fed dairy products.