Photo: Jay Willett/WBZ NewsRadio
WHITMAN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — After 30 years, some cows are returning to a Whitman farm to produce milk for fresh-made dairy products.
Hornstra Dairy Farm, the former location of Peaceful Meadows farm, has been a staple of the South Shore for almost five generations, and began selling its dairy products and bottled milk in 2013. However, the farm would have to outsource its milk from cows on its Norwell farm or from Dunstable’s Tully Farm.
That issue is no more, as the farm brought over 30 cows to its pastures, along with an additional 40 calves on Thursday, March 12. Hornstra Dairy Farms owner John Hornstra said that although he’s excited, it’s been a big investment to screen all the new cattle for avian flu.
“It is a challenge when a cow gets avian flu. If it’s in a lactation, milk production goes down to almost nothing,” said Hornstra. “We keep our cows inside a lot more than we used to, which lowers the risk, if you will. But it’s very difficult.”
As the war in the Middle East between the U.S. and Iran continues, Hornstra said gas prices aren’t the only thing rising for U.S. consumers.
“Three weeks ago, fertilizer was around $600 a ton. The other day I called to see what was going on, and they told me it was over a thousand [dollars],” said Hornstra. “We use about 500 pounds per acre for corn silage that we feed our cows, it’s definitely a concern.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.