Farm suppliers with additional colostrum are being sought for a Co Limerick company, CalfPens.ie, The Farming Independent reports. The business is shipping the fluid to Germany for use in feed, sports drinks and beauty products.
Demand has spiked since the venture’s Paul Dillon and Pat O’Boyle entered the market through a pilot project initiated this spring. The popularity has been so good that their new company, Biocolo, had over 60 suppliers by the end of the first season.
Subject to quality established using a refractometer, suppliers received around €1.50/L and €2/L. Colostrum over 25g/100ml demanded the highest price, while colostrum supplied between 20-25g/100ml received over €1.50/L.
The average price paid by Biocolo this year has been €1.75/L.
The collection process entailed providing farmers with buckets, a chest freezer and refractometer. The colostrum was then picked up when freezers were full.
Dillon and O’Boyle are supplying a processor called ISR, which is based in Lohne in northwest Germany.
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