Why We Chose Guernseys: The Golden Girls of Promise Valley

The story of our Guernseys here at Promise Valley Farm.

There's nothing quite like a summer evening at Promise Valley Farm.

Out in our organic pastures, you can see the rolling hills and mountains in the distance, hear the gentle rustle of wind and the occasional call of a cricket, and the gentle "moos" of our lovely Guernsey cows as they make their way back to the barns for the night. When you stand here, alone with nature, time seems to slow down. With the warm breeze brushing your skin, you can just stand there, and be.

As each cow cow slowly putters up through the gates, it's easy to see how our Guernseys model that slow, simple life that is at the heart of our farm. They're calm, quiet, live in the moment, and are unfazed by the goings on of the world. For them, life is about waking up in the morning, munching on hay or grass, being milked by Farmer Mark, napping, munching on grass, being milked again, and sleeping. Day in and day out, their lives are simple -- and that inspires us.

So, it's probably not much of a surprise to you that we think that they're some of the best cows in the world. And, despite their simple lives, they have an interesting story that starts long before us. That is what this blog post is about: it's the story of why we chose Guernsey cows, where they come from, and why their creamy, golden milk is so special. They haven't just come here to our farm and community, but have also made our way into our hearts. And we hope into yours, as well!

So, what is a Guernsey cow?

Guernseys are a heritage breed of cow that are known for their fawn-and-white coats, a docile and easygoing temperaments, and their medium size (weighing at around 1,400 pounds). Being affectionate animals, they form friendships with other cows in the herd, and can even form a bond with their caretakers.

They're also curious about their surroundings, which can show up in cute or even mischievous ways. Often, you can see them standing in little groups watching our customers drive in or walk around.

If someone new comes into the barn or field that they're in, they often will walk right up and sniff clothes, boots, and hair -- almost as if saying, Who are you and what did you bring? And then, sometimes that tongue will come out for a taste of whatever happens to be in that tongue's reach!

But each cow is different. It's one of the things we love about being a small dairy with fewer than 20 cows -- we get to know each cow individually. In our herd, we have cows with all personalities: some are bossy (like Begunia, the "boss cow" who gives every new cow a hard time), very friendly (like Ivy), or just pure stalwarts that get the job done (like Mary). Others, like Cassidy, are gentle and shy.

Guernseys are also sometimes called the "Queens of the Dairy World" because of their regal appearance, unique properties in their milk, graceful temperament, efficiency and longevity, and historical prestige.

Where they Come From: Island Roots

It's no wonder that our Guernseys feel so much at home here on Vancouver Island! Originally, they come from a tiny island located between France and England, called the Isle of Guernsey.

This tiny, windswept island with a stunning coastline, rugged cliffs, and sandy beaches, is a hidden gem in the British isles. On this island, Guernseys are thought to have been developed from crosses of cattle breeds from Normandy and Brittany, which would make them a mix of Normandy Brindles (also known as Alderneys) and the Froment du Leon breed from Brittany (on the French mainland.)

In the 1800s, Guernseys made their first appearance in the US, and in 1877, the American Guernsey Cattle Club was formed (now known as the American Guernsey Association.) According to the Canadian Guernsey Association, it was only a year later that Guernsey cows first arrived in Canada.

This is how the story goes: some Guernseys were being shipped to the US. During the voyage, they hit some rough seas and accidentally landed in Nova Scotia. The breed impressed so many local residents that they requested the federal Minister of Agriculture import Guernsey cows to Canada. So, in 1878, Sir John Abbot made the first official importation of Guernseys. They eventually became so popular in the Maritimes that herds were relocated and brought out as far as British Columbia.

It seemed like a promising trajectory! However, over time, Guernseys became overshadowed by more high-output commercial breeds. Over the last few years, they've slowly began to make a comeback in farms like ours, with around 300 Guernseys being registered each year in Canada. It puts Guernseys straight in "heritage breed" category, but with upward momentum. We're excited about where Guernseys will be in the upcoming years and decades as people start valuing high-quality and local milk for themselves and their families more and more!

Why We Chose Guernseys

It was as simple as tasting their products. After we tried their milk, we were hooked and immediately knew that these were the cows for us and our farm. Their golden milk just was so delicious, rich, and creamy. It was love at first taste. :)

We also knew we didn't want a commercial, high-speed dairy farm (we had already tried that)! Instead, we wanted cows that would fit into a regenerative and organic farming model. We imagined a farm where the soil would be nourished organically, the cows would live in sync with the seasons (grazing outside on fresh grass in the summer, and in the winter eating stored hay in the barns), and the milk would be high-quality and nourishing for us and for our customers and their families.

In short, Guernseys were everything that we were looking for. They fit perfectly into our dream for Promise Valley Farm, and we haven't regretted our decision!

Golden, A2 Milk

Did you know that the golden colour of Guernsey milk is unique to Guernseys? It comes from high levels of beta-carotene in the milk due to their inability to efficiently convert the beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) in grass into vitamin A. This causes a higher concentration of beta-carotene to pass into their milk -- and then into our bodies when we drink it.

In our bodies, the beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A. This vitamin supports healthy vision, the immune system, promotes cell growth and development, skin and mucous membranes, reproductive health, and bone health.

But there's more to their milk than just that golden hue: Guernsey cows produce only A2 milk. Cows can produce two kinds of beta-casein protein: A1 and A2. Most commercial cows produce A1, which releases a peptide called BCM-7 (beta-casomorphin-7). Although it's still debated in studies, this peptide can cause digestive discomfort, increased gut inflammation, and worsened symptoms in people with conditions like IBS.

The A2 beta-casein protein, in contrast, doesn't release this peptide. So many people who have had difficulties with drinking milk have found that, after switching to A2 milk, their symptoms went away and they could enjoy dairy again. (Of course, if you have a true lactose allergy, A2 milk won't make a difference.)

And another thing we love is that Guernsey milk is high in butterfat (ours goes above 5%, especially in the winter), is rich in omega-3s, calcium, and other fat-soluble vitamins. We don't homogenize our milk, and only pasteurize at low temperatures so that as many nutrients as possible stay in the milk. The cows and way that we handle their milk makes our milk more than just something to enjoy in a latte or smoothie, but rather a food that is "medicine" -- nourishing and good for our bodies.

The "Promise" in Promise Valley

Our name, Promise Valley Farm, is a daily commitment to you, our animals, and our land. No matter how times change, how far our yogurts travel (they're at retailers as far as Comox Valley and even the mainland!), we promise to focus on being good stewards of what has been given to us, and to provide you with the highest-quality dairy products for you and your families.

Standing on our farm on a warm, golden evening, we are reminded of our journey, the authentic, simple lifestyle, and our lovely Guernseys who are the heart of our farm. We hope you can visit our farm store and see our cows, taste our milk, and experience a taste of this life for yourself. <3