Milk Sheep Farming

GSC Food in Ireland 

GSC Food Ireland, a Subdivision of GSC Consulting and Management AG, is currently running a long-term project of production, processing and distribution of sheep milk and high value food products on the basis of sheep milk from Ireland to Asian market.

The idea has originated from the GSC Food’s knowledge of the global milk products market, long-term experience of supplies of skimmed cow’s milk powder, including intervention goods, from Europe to Asia, and actual growing demand for alternative dairy worldwide.

The benefits of sheep milk as a product and  favourable situation for milk sheep farming in Ireland have resulted in the establishment of a fruitful cooperation between GSC Food and leading representatives of the Irish milk sheep farming and dairy processing industry.

 

 

Why Sheep Milk

Cow’s milk is  undoubtedly one of the most requested food products worldwide. Yet, rapidly growing population, climate changing and certain digestion and allergy challenges, sadly more often reported during the last years, have resulted in huge demand for alternative dairy around the world.

Sheep milk is an excellent, and sometimes the only, alternative to the cow’s milk which often cannot be tolerated due to a number of health disorders by many people around the Globe, especially in Asian countries.

Sheep milk has a higher nutritional value and higher concentrations of proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, compared to cow’s milk. Because of the unique properties of sheep’s milk, it suits many with digestive challenges or who are allergic to cow’s milk. Sheep’s milk has higher levels of “heart healthy fats” (or what in food chemistry we call “polar lipids”) compared to cow’s milk.

The superiority of sheep’s milk lies in the comparison with cow and goat milk – especially in the differences between levels of critical nutritional aspects like

  • Protein
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Thiamine
  • Riboflavin
  • Vitamins B6
  • B12 and D
  • The medium chain amino acids
  • Linoleic acids and all 10 of the essential amino acids

Sheep’s milk contains about one third more energy than cow or goat milk (making it a favourite of high-performance athletes). It has 70% – 80% more protein and much more of the right kinds of fats, vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, while being lower in sodium. It has more than twice as much Vitamin C, and double or triple the other essential vitamins. It also has more folic acid (folate).

 

Ireland is the best choice for sheep farming 

Sheep farming is environmentally friendly and Ireland is the country predestinated for sustainable sheep farming.  Sheep farming in Ireland is a grass based farming system which allows producing milk of the superior quality. Sheep spend longer at grass. Ireland has no problem producing grass, something that is unique globally, and results in low input, cost-effective production system.

Unlike New Zealand, Ireland has no problem accessing European genetics of milk sheep and working with European counterparts having very good milk yield.

Governmentally welcomed breeding programme makes possible development of large pool of milking genetics in Ireland which contributes both to the advancement of rural industry and considerable satisfaction of global demand for alternative dairy products.

Ireland is one of the best in the world at dairy processing. Rich farming traditions on the one hand, and the Plant & Research Company established by the Irish Dairy Industry, on the other hand, completely meet customer expectations on quality, service, technical and operational requirements.

An ultra-modern plant covering 3000 sq.m. floor area with a boutique spray dryer that is also approved for Chinese market allows processing of big quantities of sheep milk, preserving the high quality of the product, which makes possible safe transport of sheep milk to the far destinations.

Strong scientific background, strict production control and product approbation let us offer to the customers niche products of the highest quality: Sheep Milk Infant Formula, Sheep Milk Pre-, During& Post Pregnancy Formula, Sheep Milk Calcium Tablets, Sheep Milk Calcium Tablets enhanced with probiotics or Vitamin D3, Colostrum Capsules, Enriched Sheep Milk Formula for Healthy Aging, Flavoured Ship Milk.