Who produces highland cow milk? Can you buy it??

[RGchef]

Hello,

I don’t work in agriculture, I’m a chef looking for a specific product. I am looking to start a small project where I produce homemade brie cheese made from the milk of highland cattle as an additional course on my menu. The richness and sweetness of the milk would be wonderful not to mention a real unique selling point and a great thing to learn. Could anyone tell me if there is anyone producing this milk which I could buy or help me to establish a supply?
Cheers!
Roddy

 

[Formatted]

All comes down to what you're willing to pay for a litre of milk and how secure you are as an outlet. I would say that during a pandemic that has shut all restaurants I don't think they'll be many farmers queueing up to supply you.

What about milk from cows in the highlands?

 

[neilo]

@cheggars A bit of diversification?

 

[RGchef]

All comes down to what you're willing to pay for a litre of milk and how secure you are as an outlet. I would say that during a pandemic that has shut all restaurants I don't think they'll be many farmers queueing up to supply you.

What about milk from cows in the highlands?

Hi,
Cheers for your response, this is quite loose in terms of price sensitivity as the selling price of the dish will reflect our target profit margin so unless it’s hideously expensive there would be no issue with it costing more than normal.
I’m currently on furlough and trying to develop new and interesting pieces for the future so the need for a consistent supply could be a few months away yet however we have reason to be optimistic about the future which is more than many can say! Driving to the restaurant you pass buy highland cattle and it is frequented buy rather a lot of tourists however milk from cattle from the highlands is option B

cheers

 

[Formatted]

I’m currently on furlough and trying to develop new and interesting pieces for the future so the need for a consistent supply could be a few months away yet however we have reason to be optimistic about the future which is more than many can say! Driving to the restaurant you pass buy highland cattle and it is frequented buy rather a lot of tourists however milk from cattle from the highlands is option B

Highland cows are kept for Beef not dairy so someone would specifically have to start producing this for you, what sort of quantities do you need? And would need to be consistent year round

 

[Woolless]

Highland cows are kept for Beef not dairy so someone would specifically have to start producing this for you, what sort of quantities do you need? And would need to be consistent year round

I believe that some were milked by crofters to provide milk for the house many years ago, presumably before any more specialist dairy breeds made their way north. There is an excellent documentary about a Highland cattle fold on Uist. The old wifey on that milked a freshly-calved Highlander to get the colostrum for her porridge! Rather her than me!

 

[RGchef]

It would not be in large quantities at the beginning, maybe 6-8L in a week though this is a rough estimate, we need to learn how to do it first. If it did well then we would like more but we would never be looking for large scale production, just a nice point of interest and something to be known for. One slice as a cheese course. Do you recon this could happen?

 

[neilo]

It would not be in large quantities at the beginning, maybe 6-8L in a week though this is a rough estimate, we need to learn how to do it first. If it did well then we would like more but we would never be looking for large scale production, just a nice point of interest and something to be known for. One slice as a cheese course. Do you recon this could happen?

I can’t imagine Highland cows in a conventional milking parlour somehow, so your looking for someone willing to hand milk a few for you, or willing to invest a thousand pounds or so in setting up to milk a dozen or so in a byre, crush, etc.

I appreciate you might be trying to create a story around the Highland cows, but wouldn’t the milk quality be similar from most (low yielding) beef cows?

 

[RGchef]

I believe that some were milked by crofters to provide milk for the house many years ago, presumably before any more specialist dairy breeds made their way north. There is an excellent documentary about a Highland cattle fold on Uist. The old wifey on that milked a freshly-calved Highlander to get the colostrum for her porridge! Rather her than me!

I would be interested to see that documentary, do you have a link? Half of my family hail from there originally and I have been countless times

 

[RGchef]

I can’t imagine Highland cows in a conventional milking parlour somehow, so your looking for someone willing to hand milk a few for you, or willing to invest a thousand pounds or so in setting up to milk a dozen or so in a byre, crush, etc.

I appreciate you might be trying to create a story around the Highland cows, but wouldn’t the milk quality be similar from most (low yielding) beef cows?

Yes I’m sure it would be and if I hit a dead end on the highland idea then il go down that route. You are quite correct it’s much to do with the story and the sell though that’s not to say we will take this overquality should it not work well I have to add

 

[egbert]

You might someone willing, but would need to offer commitment, and real cash.
Taking the calf off a highland, and getting her in daily to milk is a very big ask.
(I have seen one milked before though)

Where are you?

 

[RGchef]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply! I am in Edinburgh

 

[egbert]

Hmm.
I'd guess you want to find an enterprising smalholder within striking distance.
A crofter on some Heb island won't be much use to you -too far away-, and commercial scale cattle men just won't be interested.
(prove me wrong someone...)

Those few running highlands commercially will likely be doing it on ground not conducive to over-supply of milk, or ease of handling/access.
You're possibly asking in the wrong forum....it's lifestyler-hobbyist group I think you need.

try asking Highland Cattle Soc?

 

[RGchef]

Hmm.
I'd guess you want to find an enterprising smalholder within striking distance.
A crofter on some Heb island won't be much use to you -too far away-, and commercial scale cattle men just won't be interested.
(prove me wrong someone...)

Those few running highlands commercially will likely be doing it on ground not conducive to over-supply of milk, or ease of handling/access.
You're possibly asking in the wrong forum....it's lifestyler-hobbyist group I think you need.

try asking Highland Cattle Soc?

I will, thank you

 

[Highland Mule]

Worth a chat to Highland cheese at Tain?

 

[Wurzeetoo]

One question I’m not a chef or a cheese maker but when you have seperated the curds and whey Surely you wouldn’t have enough to make one cheese from 6-8 litres? Just thinking practically. Great to see some providence and link to local food though

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

I can’t imagine Highland cows in a conventional milking parlour somehow, so your looking for someone willing to hand milk a few for you, or willing to invest a thousand pounds or so in setting up to milk a dozen or so in a byre, crush, etc.

I appreciate you might be trying to create a story around the Highland cows, but wouldn’t the milk quality be similar from most (low yielding) beef cows?

You've not lived, we've a couple of highland cross's here, got a big highland cross brown swiss due to calve in the next day or two, not the prettiest udder's but no problem in the parlour, and enough milk.

 

[neilo]

You've not lived, we've a couple of highland cross's here, got a big highland cross brown swiss due to calve in the next day or two, not the prettiest udder's but no problem in the parlour, and enough milk.

Rather you than me, they’ll surely be taking the same space up as a productive cow though?

Maybe you’re just the fella @RGchef is looking for, as Isuspect he’ll struggle to find anyone to supply ‘pure’ Highland milk. That is only posted partly in jest, there may well be an opportunity for both parties to come to a mutually beneficial agreement?

 

[Agrivator]

I believe that some were milked by crofters to provide milk for the house many years ago, presumably before any more specialist dairy breeds made their way north. There is an excellent documentary about a Highland cattle fold on Uist. The old wifey on that milked a freshly-calved Highlander to get the colostrum for her porridge! Rather her than me!

Beastings puddings have been made since time immemorial. They can even be made from sheep colostrum.

But I would guess that only a proportion (70%?) of colostrum is suitable. The remainder will be too thin or bloody.

beestings pudding recipes - BT Yahoo Search Results

uk.search.yahoo.com

 

[Agrivator]

Hello,

I don’t work in agriculture, I’m a chef looking for a specific product. I am looking to start a small project where I produce homemade brie cheese made from the milk of highland cattle as an additional course on my menu. The richness and sweetness of the milk would be wonderful not to mention a real unique selling point and a great thing to learn. Could anyone tell me if there is anyone producing this milk which I could buy or help me to establish a supply?
Cheers!
Roddy

There is a breed called the Luing, which was developed from a cross between the Highland and the Beef Shorthorn. They are named after the Island on which they were developed by the Cadzow family, and are very much more numerous than pure Highlanders. There are Luings which would produce significant quantities of milk and which would be quite suitable as a milk cow for your purposes.

There will be plenty of herds within a fifty mile radius of Edinburgh. But whether or not anyone would be willing to supply you, and be able to comply with any ''food standards regulations'' is a different matter. You would at least have to pay a hefty premium, and provide a free meal two or three times a year for the whole family.

And you would have to agree that they are in no way committed to ordering your particular Brie. They might prefer carnation or evaporated milk, or Wensleydale Cheese, or Mackie's ice cream.