Pleasant Meadow Creamery’s 100% registered Guernsey herd has been tested for beta casein and the entire herd tests as A2A2 beta casein, or is genetically A2A2 based on parentage, therefore you, as a consumer, get A2A2 milk.  We were the first committed Idaho A2A2 dairy in the Coeur D’Alene, Sandpoint, and Bonners Ferry area.  This wasn’t hard to accomplish with Guernsey cows, who naturally are the highest A2A2 beta casein type breed.

What is A2A2 milk?

There are two types of the important cow’s milk protein beta-casein that can be found in milk.  They are A1 and A2 beta-casein.

Historically, A2A2 beta casein is what all cows originally produced.

However, at some point in history, a genetic mutation occurred and A1 beta-casein appeared and began to be more prevalent.

Several studies indicate A1 beta casein may be implicated in heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, autism, schizophrenia, and can cause minor symptoms of general ill feelings (congestion, nausea, etc.).

Difference between breeds of cattle

It is generally considered that cows with northern European heritage, like the Holstein cow commonly found throughout dairies in North America, produce more A1 type than A2.

Cows from Asia and the islands of Guernsey and Jersey carry more A2 beta casein.

Of all tested Guernseys in the American Guernsey Association database, over 80 percent of tested Guernsey cows are A2A2, and all the the currently sold Guernsey sires through the artificial insemination companies are 100% A2A2.  This is because the Guernsey breeders have chosen to focus on this positive trait of the breed.

GUERNSEYS ARE SIMPLY THE BEST!

Is A2A2 the best?

There is much research on A2A2 beta casein and we encourage to do your own study on the subject and draw your own conclusions.

What can be better than A2A2 Guernsey milk?  How about raw A2A2 Guernsey milk:  Raw Milk Benefits