Located in the lush Goulburn Valley, the heart of dairying in Victoria, the Jalna BioDynamic Organic farm produces ‘A’ grade Demeter-certified milk to strict BioDynamic principles. Bought by Jalna in 1998 – just at the start of the drought – as part of Jalna’s commitment to producing nutritious foods in a healthy environment, the farm has been expanded so it can be fully self sufficient, with the aim to provide feed pasture-grown BioDynamically.

The milk from Jalna’s BioDynamic Organic farm is transported in Jalna’s own special segregated tanker to be made into Jalna BioDynamic Organic Yoghourt by the exacting traditional, pot set method.

Good milking and farming practices are used to protect the health of Jalna’s herd of mainly Holstein Friesian BioDynamic cows. ‘Smudging’ for instance - the practice of regularly spreading out the cow manure over the paddocks – not only helps feed the grass and avoids hillocks growing over the droppings, but it keeps the paddocks clean and brings parasites to the surface where sunlight eradicates them.

Care for Our Cows

Special attention is also paid to grading the surface of laneways so the cows do not get sore feet or legs, while hygiene and cleaning practices in the milking shed are scrupulously observed.

Jalna’s BioDynamic Orgnic herd cannot be treated with antibiotics or conventional medicines - only homeopathic remedies. Jalna’s humane approach to milk production avoids stressing the cows which might create illness. The dairy herd is carefully tended and even played soothing music during milking.

As animal welfare is an important consideration, if a cow does become too ill to respond to homeopathic remedies, it is treated with conventional medicines - but it is quarantined for at least 3 times the treatment period.  This provides time for the treatment to pass through the cow.

When the cow is fully recovered, it is allowed to return to the herd.  The cow's milk cannot be added to the Biodynamic Organic milk for an additional 180 days.

“Because we don’t treat our cows with antibiotics on a regular basis they have a really good immune system,” explains Melinda Smith.