Frequently Asked Questions ...
01
What is the origin of the name ‘Hurdlebrook’?
Traditionally all fields on farms have names - just like cows.
Hurdlebrook is a gently, sloping east facing field on the edge of our farm, frequented by deer and home to an ever-growing population of brown hare.
02
Are you an organic farm?
We farm traditionally with respect for nature and the environment. Our approach to farming is everything in moderation. We are pleased to announce that we are currently undergoing the organic conversion process.
03
Do you use antibiotics?
For welfare reasons, we would use antibiotics on a case by case basis as prescribed by our vet.
Milk from treated milking cows will not enter the bulk tank until the treatment has finished and the further withdrawal period has expired.
We treat individually, and not on a herd basis.
04
Do you use hormones?
No. Contrary to popular belief (from American websites), British farmers do not administer the hormone rBST (Bovine Stomatrophin) to boost milk production.
In 1993, the European Union voted for a ban on the use rBST in the EU and for the import of products from rBST treated animals.
The only hormones in British cows’ milk are naturally occurring.
05
Have you added something to give the milk the golden colour?
No. The Guernsey cow is inefficient at digesting the beta carotene in the grass. This is the orange colour (think carrots) that comes through in the milk, which also adds to the flavour.
06
What about TB (Bovine Tuberculosis)?
Cattle in the England and Wales are routinely tested for TB. Our farm falls within an annual testing area and all cattle on the farm are tested - not just the milking herd.
Should we have a reactor our raw milk licence would be revoked immediately.
07
Do you feed GMOs to your cows?
No. Our cows are fed home grown grass and, in winter, grass silage and are supplemented by a small amount of concentrate feed called cake. We pay a premium to ensure that this is GMO free!
Is raw milk safe?
We understand entirely that food production starts on the farm with the animals, and have a rigorous pre and post milking regime to prevent the milk becoming contaminated.
To retain our licence to sell raw milk and cream, the Foods Standards Agency have a 3 month rolling programme of unannounced visits and milk testing for Total Viable Count (TVC) and Coliforms.
We receive milk test results weekly for the milk we sell wholesale to a local cheese maker and then, to be certain, we pay for private product testing.
Mother nature does not produce a feed for her young that is harmful to health.
08
Are the ingredients all natural?
As we only use our own Guernsey milk, we can be confident that we are starting with a quality, unadulterated product.
We do not need to add any extras such as stabilisers, starch, thickeners, and sugar to our natural products; just an organic fruit compote to the fruited yoghurt.
09
What about allergies, such as gluten and lactose intolerance?
All our products are gluten free.
Lactose is the sugar in milk and so will be in varying quantities. But… if it is the beta casein A1 that you cannot tolerate, then this is the product for you!
10
What is the difference between lactose intolerance and beta casein A1 intolerance?
Whilst the symptoms are very similar (stomach pain, bloating, wind for some people, respiratory problem, skin problems or other digestive issues), lactose intolerance is, in fact, a sensitivity to the sugar in milk; whereas beta casein A1 intolerance is a sensitivity to the specific A1 protein in milk.
1 in 5 people in the UK claim they have issues with milk, which most believe to be lactose intolerance. However, only 1 in 20 have actually been medically diagnosed with lactose intolerance.
People with an beta casein A1 intolerance, as opposed to lactose, can consume A2 milk as it is digested very differently. Click here to find out about the science behind it all.
11
12
Can raw milk be used in cooking?
Raw milk and cream can be substituted for heat treated varieties in any recipe and will produce delicious results.
13
How long do your products last and can I freeze them?
All our products have an use by date.
Surely with at least three weeks shelf life on our delicious yoghurt it will disappear from the fridge before you need to freeze it. But if you feel the urge to make a frozen yoghurt lolly, we do not think you will be disappointed.
The cream and milk both freeze well. Freeze up to three months and always defrost slowly in the fridge over 24 hours. Shake the milk or stir the cream before use.
14
Is your packaging recyclable?
Yes, where facilities exist, and we hope that our customers adhere.
Do you sell pasteurised milk?
No, and there are no current plans to do so.