Episode 31 - Why Drink Raw Milk?
The Nutritional and Health Benefits of Raw Milk: A Homesteader's Guide
In the world of homesteading, the idea of producing your own food is deeply ingrained. Few things symbolize self-sufficiency more than having your own cow or goat for milking. One of the primary products homesteaders can enjoy from their animals is raw milk, which has a rich history and a host of potential health benefits. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the historical significance of raw milk, explore its numerous health advantages, and understand why its availability varies across the globe.
The Historical Perspective: A Return to Tradition
Before the Industrial Revolution, milk was produced and consumed on family farms, fostering a direct connection between people and their food source. This hands-on approach to milk production ensured that families enjoyed fresh milk, which could be transformed into an array of delicious dairy products like butter, yogurt, and cheese. Remarkably, historical records reveal that milk-related problems were rare during this era, a testament to the quality of farm-fresh milk.
The Challenges of the 1800s: Unclean Milk
As urbanization spread, so did the challenges of maintaining milk quality. Milking animals in crowded, often unhygienic conditions led to contaminated milk supplies. By the late 19th century, this issue had escalated, resulting in what was termed the "milk problem." Sickly cows, sometimes fed brewery waste, were the source of tainted milk, causing widespread illnesses, especially among children.
The Innovative Solutions: Pasteurization and Certification
To address these issues, two transformative solutions emerged: pasteurization and certification. Pasteurization, the process of heating milk to eliminate harmful bacteria, was introduced to ensure the safety of dairy products. Certification aimed to establish rigorous hygiene standards for raising and milking cows, thereby guaranteeing the production of clean, safe milk.
1893 - First time someone said we need to be clean about how we collect milk, and from that point on milk production changed, raw milk began to be used again but it was only those who could follow the instructions of how to maintain hygiene that produced drinking milk that was clean.
1999 - Raw milk became the boogyman, more than likely because factory farming started to leap ahead with more people wanting milk from the supermarket instead of the farm gate.
Clearly with the larger quantity of milk being produced it became harder for the farmer to monitor animal health and also ensure cleanliness of all the equipment. It became more economical to just pasturise everything than worry about hygiene.
Is Raw Milk Good for You?
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria.
Raw milk can carry harmful germs, such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. These germs can pose serious health risks to you and your family.
The main foods for cause food poisoning are undercooked meat and raw vegetables, leafy greens and rice, fruit and sprouts.
Raw Milk Today: Health Benefits and Beyond
Raw milk, the purest form of milk, is milk that hasn't undergone pasteurization, preserving its natural state. Advocates of raw milk celebrate its numerous potential health benefits:
Enzymes: Raw milk contains essential enzymes like lactase (facilitating lactose digestion) and lipase (supporting fat absorption).
Probiotics: Beneficial probiotic bacteria can thrive in raw milk, offering digestive health benefits and bolstering the immune system.
Nutrient Retention: Raw milk may retain higher levels of vitamins, such as B12 and vitamin C, compared to pasteurized milk.
Improved Digestibility: Some enthusiasts suggest that raw milk is easier to digest, thanks to the presence of enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
While these potential benefits continue to be debated, it's essential to note that pasteurization serves to eliminate harmful pathogens, ensuring milk's safety for broader consumption.
Legislation in Different Countries: A Global Perspective
Remarkably, the legal status of raw milk varies widely across the world. Canada, Australia, and Scotland have imposed bans on raw cow's milk, citing safety concerns. However, raw goat's milk remains legal in some Australian states. In contrast, numerous countries in Europe and beyond allow the sale of raw milk without major issues.
Raw goat's milk is legal to produce and consume in four Australian states and is available from licensed producers. These are Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
Only Australia, Scotland and Canada have a blanket ban on the raw drinking milk from cows. In Scotland people have been purchasing it online from England for many years. In Canada many herdshare arrangements provide milk despite being under prosecution. Raw milk for human consumption is technically ‘illegal’ in Canada unless you own the animal, but some communities enjoy access via herd shares ‘ownership’, and some routinely bring it in from the USA where it is available in 12 of the 13 bordering states.
Important to note Raw milk is directly sold to customers at farms in countries such as France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Ireland and the U.K. With what appears to be no major issues.
280 farmers across the Netherlands still make raw milk boerenkaas, or farmer’s cheese.
90% of Pakistan’s total milk consumption is raw unprocessed milk.
The Financial Realities of Small Farms
Small farms are the heart of homesteading, where self-sufficiency thrives. However, financial challenges persist, affecting these small-scale operations:
High Operating Costs: Small farms often grapple with steep expenses for machinery, equipment, fuel, and labor.
Market Access and Competition: Limited access to markets and competition with larger operations can pose income challenges.
Regulatory and Compliance Burdens: Compliance with agricultural regulations can demand significant time and resources.
The Economic Side of Pasteurization
Pasteurization, while crucial for food safety, can be cost-prohibitive for small farms. Adhering to strict hygiene standards and pasteurization regulations adds a financial burden to these operations, sometimes leading to the decline of small farms in favor of larger, more mechanized ones.
The average age of the Australian farmer has been estimated at 57. Many raw milk producers overseas are millennials and ex-vegans. They understand the value and consumer demand for RDM.
Since 2000, Queensland has lost over 75% of its dairy farms, plummeting from 1500 to 360 in May 2019. 1 in 10 dairy farms in Victoria have closed in the last year since May 2019.
Australia is losing its family farms at an alarming rate, with our numbers down to 86,000 from 157,000 in 2011.
Embracing the Benefits of Raw Milk
As a homesteader, the choice to include raw milk in your lifestyle reflects a commitment to tradition, self-sufficiency, and potential health benefits. Whether you're considering raw milk for its nutritional advantages or contemplating having a milk-producing animal on your homestead, it's essential to weigh the evidence carefully and make informed choices that prioritize the well-being of your family.
Resources
Australian Raw Milk Advocacy
Raw Milk Institute (United States)
https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/
Raw Milk Institute (United Kingdom)
https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/rawmilkuk
Find Raw Milk Near You
https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/updates/find-a-good-raw-milk-farmer