For most of the past decade, Radiance Dairy has been exclusively breeding all cows in the herd to bulls that are genetically tested and verified to transmit only A2 genetics to their offspring. Now, all cows at Radiance Dairy carry only A2 genetics. All A1 genetics have been eliminated from the herd.
Why Does A2 Milk Matter?
One of the proteins in milk comes in two variants, labeled by researchers as A1 and A2. Research and anecdotal experiences of milk drinkers indicate that the A2 protein variant is easier to digest. Because some people experience deleterious health effects from the A1 variant, some physicians and nutritionists are recommending that people who have symptoms of lactose intolerance try drinking either lactose-free milk or A2 milk to avoid ill health effects.
At the dairy, we watched that play out recently when our visiting niece, who has a history of experiencing what she thought of as lactose intolerance, began drinking our milk during dinner at our house. Her husband was alarmed that she was drinking glassful after glassful because of her past experiences with milk intolerance. “But it tastes so good,” she said. She did not have any of the usual stomach problems she has with “normal” milk.
Research suggests that many people who think they’re lactose intolerant may actually be sensitive to the A1 protein in milk, which can trigger gut inflammation and discomfort. All milk naturally contains lactose (milk sugar). Lactose-free milk is produced by a process of removing the natural lactose from milk.
Differences Among Dairy Breeds
It is thought that all cow milk was originally A2, just as human breast milk is. At some point in the distant past, a mutation occurred in some breeds that resulted in A1 proteins replacing A2 proteins in milk. Unfortunately, the predominant breed of dairy cattle in the U.S. today produces mostly A1 milk. Jersey cows, which is the breed at Radiance Dairy, normally average about half A1 milk and half A2 milk. However, with genetic testing of bulls and using exclusively A2/A2 bulls for breeding, any breed of dairy cattle can be bred and selected to become 100 percent A2.
Availability of A2 Milk
There is one dairy processing company that is selling A2 milk nationally. Unfortunately, that milk is produced conventionally (i.e., with the full suite of agrichemicals and GMOs) and it is UHT (ultra high temperature) pasteurized at 280 degrees F, which are two things many milk drinkers wish to avoid. Fortunately, Radiance Dairy now offers A2 milk that is also organic, grass-based, non-homogenized, and low-temperature pasteurized.
The Future of Radiance Dairy
We have owned and managed Radiance Dairy for the past 32 years. During that time, Radiance Dairy became a national model for organic dairy production. Indeed, the Cornucopia Institute, which scores the organic integrity of organic foods (in the face of Big Food trying to dilute the organic standards), gives Radiance Dairy the highest scorecard rating of all organic dairies in the nation.
Now that we are retiring, we are transferring the ownership and management of Radiance Dairy to the next generation—Jason and Heather Herron and their four teenage children. Jason grew up on a dairy farm and has a wide range of farming experiences, including organic production. Their children are already becoming skilled farmers. The Herrons are committed to maintaining the same quality Radiance Dairy products that we have worked to produce for more than three decades.
Find more information about A2 milk online or in the book Devil in the Milk.