Milk may get a new lease of life

Milk in its usual form contains both A1 and A2 β-casein proteins that are genetic variants of the beta-casein milk protein with different chemical structures. Wikipedia states that:

the "A1 β-casein type is the most common type found in cow's milk in Europe (excluding France), the USA, Australia and New Zealand." (Source: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/231r.htm)

However A2 milk comes from selected dairy cows "whose milk is rich in A2 beta-caseins – but contains no A1 – it is a completely natural, and highly effective, solution to cases of A1 milk protein intolerance." (Source: A2 Milk)

It is thought that the A1 β-casein protein in milk can lead to specific forms of milk intolerance. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and nausea (Source: A2 Milk) 

So, therefore, the A2 branded milk is a form of milk protein that contains β-casein protein formed by Robert Wiseman Dairies and the New Zealand's A2 Corporation. It is thought that this A2 milk will be sold at Budgens, Tesco and Waitrose in the UK. In Australia, FWi states, "A2 milk has taken a 6% value share of the milk market."

The FWi has produced an interesting case study of an A2 milk producer, Andrew Evans in Shropshire, England. 

On the 2nd of October, the BBC News reported that "a genetically-modified cow produced milk without beta-lactoglobulin - a whey protein to which some people are allergic...The instructions for making the beta-lactoglobulin protein are contained in genes in the cow's DNA. The scientists added extra genetic material to disrupt the manufacturing process using a technique called RNA interference. The resulting calf was born without a tail, however, the researchers say that is "unlikely" to be because of the genetic modification. It has not yet become pregnant and produced milk normally so the scientists used hormones to jump-start milk production."

It certainly looks like there will be changes within the dairy industry, especially after the summer of discontent (see this post).

Dairy Crisis Update - 01/08/2012

I have taken the majority of the news from the Farmers 4 Action news website (found here), but news can also be found here with the Farmers Guardian, the Farmers Weekly and the NFU.

On the 27th of July, Farmers For Action published the following press release:

"WISEMAN, MULLER have today rescinded the threatened milk price cut for the 1 August 2012. Farmers For Action welcome this announcement but it does not go far enough to deal with the current crisis faced by the dairy farmers. With announcements this week of major retailers and milk processors either adding money into the industry or with the processors Dairycrest, Arla, and First Milk rescinding their threatened price cuts, David Handley, Chairman of FFA says "this sends a very strong message regarding unity in the dairy industry. The united coalition group together with united dairy farmers, supported by the media and general public, have taken us up the first step toward a sustainable dairy industry, for the future of the next generation of dairy farmers."

On the 1st of August (today), Farmers For Action published another press release:

"Phase Two is well under way. A meeting of the coalition yesterday clearly showed everyone is 110% committed to delivering on the undertaking given at the beginning of the campaign. As everyone should be now aware, Phase Two is all about recovering cuts that were made in the April, May and June. We intend along with our partners, to flush out the money that has obviously gone into someone else's bank account and we will use every available avenue to achieve this by the deadline of September 1st 2012. This will involve going back over old ground so the big 4 retailers and 3 largest processors needn't think they are all off the hook. They need to come clean very quickly and explain where the money from the cuts went and what it was used for. If they have any morals or ethics this should come easily, if not someone's backside will get kicked and hard. To the middle gorund, discounters and food service industry, you too need to come clean very quickly to avoid disruption to your business. Again, we say to you, show us you have morals and ethics and contact members of the coalition as soon as possible. To the Government and all the devolved partners, you too have a responsibility in this dire situation UK dairy farmers are now facing. You have all recently made statements regarding what you intend to do; we hold you all to that".

Dairy Co has a very good summary of what has happened, have a look at their website.

We await the new movements on the dairy industry with renewed vigour.