Water Buffalo in Ireland?

Ireland is already known for its dairy industry. But if you happen to be in Macroom, just west of Cork City and think you see a rather strange looking herd of dairy cattle….it’s just the newest twist on dairy farming in Ireland, with Water Buffalo. Johnny Lynch is taking the dairy world to a new level with his established herd of Water Buffalo. He started by importing 31 of the buffalo 20 years ago. And now that the herd is established, so is his water buffalo cheese, buffalo meat, and agri business tours are bringing people from around the world to see it, and taste it.

His herd now numbers more than 800. They calf all year round. And the cheese factory there runs 7 days a week, processing milk that provides twice the fat and twice the protein that regular dairy cows produce. It’s exactly what cheese makers are looking for. They’ve now grown their offerings to a half dozen cheeses including Buffalo Mozerella, Feta, (called Greek Style) yogurt, ricotta and Halloumi.

Dorothy O’Tuama who leads tours at the Macroom Buffalo farm says the behemoth bovines are actually gentle giants. “They are more like a good farm dog, or even a pig, really, than they are like a cow,” she tells the group gathered to see the animals and the offerings on the farm. “And they are clever,” she adds explaining that they have had to change out the lock mechanisms in the barns because the buffalo have figured out how to open the gates.

Twice a day they head to the barn for milking. All of the milk produced stays on the farm and is processed for shipment. Some of the animals are sold off for meat, which is known t be lean and high in iron. And Johnny Lynch has just signed a two year deal with Aldi for distribution nationwide.

Nice “Mooooooo”ve ahead.

You can find more information at https://www.macroombuffalocheese.com/