Hudson Valley's Fresh: Gregorys' Field/Farm Trip

May 21, 2015

Road triiiiip: Gregorys have just wrapped up a day-trip to Hudson Valley Fresh, proud preservers of the agricultural heritage of the Hudson River Valley. We are, likewise, proud providers of their product by way of all the assistance that milk lends to delicious coffee. But milk is no monolith--we are not required by default to praise the curve of its undivided syllable. Sometimes milk is not the mirror of a bucolic reverie, but a silent inhabiter of artificial growth hormones and equal inhibitor to a cow's happiness. Hudson Valley Fresh are of the philosophy that a healthy cow = a happy cow = a source of great milk. This may sound like some shtick that sticks to Brooklynites who take their dogs to yoga classes, but it's got well-to-do facts to back it up; something Hudson Valley Fresh were only too happy to impart.

D.J. and Cow

Mr. D.J. meets Cow

First step to a happy camper/cow is a rich and varied diet. Hudson Valley Fresh feed their cows alfalfa, oats, barley, soybeans, corn silage and "lots and lots of hay". Why the emphasis on that last part? Because hay is great for the immune system and has the cow chewing away at a greater rate. Hay and healthy chewing mean more omega-3 fatty acids, a better ratio between omega 3 and 6, and a better quality cream. Omega-3 is good for all the good stuff: crucial for normal growth, brain function and development; known to reduce inflammation, and can lower the risk of heart disease as well as other chronic dilapidations. It seems that syzygetic (if you were up on your dictionary.com last week?) formula that Hudson Valley Fresh has going is proving its worth: healthy cow = happy cow = great source of milk.

One particular point of pride for Hudson's milk is their record-low level of somatic cells in the milk that they produce. Somatic cell counts (SCC) are an essential quality to monitor in herds. Each tank of milk produced is checked in order to give an early indication of infection; somatic cells being leucocytes (white blood cells) that mobilize in order to  ensure that milk is without such infection. Cows with unhealthy udders are going to produce milk with a higher SCC in order to save you from themselves--quite a dire state, and surely not so good for any conscientious cow with Buddha-like inclinations towards moral equanimity.

The federal government’s SCC legal limit on bulk milk is 750,000 cells per milliliter; most industrial and organic dairy farms have an average of 420,000 cells per milliliter. The somatic cell count of every one of Hudson Valley Fresh’s farms is under 200,000 per mm at all times--and actually the range is from 45,000 to 160,000 per mm, which is unheard of in the industry. This is a indicator of cleaner milk, a healthier cow, and better taste; after all, the milk, containing more of what is essentially good and sweet for us, is going to be of great benefit to a flavorful latte. The great coffee-tasters over at the labs of Cornell University will back Hudson Valley Fresh up on that.

Assistant Manager Andie

Assistant Manager Andie + Cow having DMC (deep meaningful conversation)

One last godsend when it comes to low somatic cell counts, lending a hand both in terms of flavor and healthful disambiguation: Hudson Valley Fresh do not ultra-pasteurize their milk; they pasteurize for 20 seconds at 166 degrees.  That’s in contrast to much industrial and organic milk, which is ultra-pasteurized i.e. heated to 280F. This not only effects the flavor of the milk, but the nature of the protein. Over at Hudson, the problem is confronted before it's created: lipase and protease, undesirable enzymes which rise proportionally with SCC, have no need to be broken down by such excessive heat. Sure this unnatural process might give the milk a longer lease of life, but it's also rendered flavorless; Hudson's milk arrives to our stores within 36 hours of being produced, and we have away with it in no time at all--with our combined efforts, the milk'll be in your cup before you can say "goldfish's memory".

For more on Hudson Valley Fresh and all they have to offer, click here


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