Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question about our butter? If you don’t find the answer here, let us know!
Where do we get our milk?
Minerva Dairy partners with local dairy farmers from surrounding areas to source their milk, ensuring it comes from pasture-raised cows that enjoy a natural, healthy diet. The farmers are committed to sustainable practices, producing milk that is fresh, high-quality, and free from artificial additives. This dedication to local, ethical sourcing allows Minerva Dairy to craft products with exceptional flavor and a commitment to quality.
What type of milk do we use to make our butter?
The milk from our pasture-raised family farms represents all six dairy breeds found in the northern hemisphere. These farms have been milking for generations, raising their preferred breeds or crossbreeds that best suit the local land and facilities. At Minerva Dairy, we respect the breed selection choices made by the family farms, as they understand their land and capabilities better than anyone else.
No single breed dominates the selection, but the following breeds can be ranked from most to least popular: Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Milking Shorthorn. Just as the USA is a melting pot, so too is the variety of dairy breeds represented by our family farms!
What does pasture-raised butter mean?
Pasture-raised dairy cows come from family farms where they are free to roam and graze on fresh grass in the pastures. Unlike cows that are confined to barns, these cows can relax in the open air whenever they choose. It’s important to note that “pasture-raised” is not the same as “grass-fed.” While our farmers do provide their cows with a grain ration to ensure they produce nutritious and healthy milk, the cows still enjoy access to fresh pasture. In fact, pasture-raised dairy cows tend to be healthier than those that are strictly grass-fed, as feeding a dairy cow only grass can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Are our cows kept in pastures or in barns?
Minerva Dairy cows are given the freedom to choose to lay in the barn or roam outside to eat grass in the pasture. Because the weather isn’t always sunny, the cows are provided with clean, dry housing that protects them from poor weather, sun, rain, and cold. By allowing the cows the choice to either be inside the barn or outside in the pasture, our family farms are creating a healthier, more productive environment for their cows.
How do our farmers care for their cows?
Our family farms understand that quality milk comes from healthy cows. For this reason, their exceptional cow care practices are centered around the cows’ health and comfort. By providing clean, dry housing conditions, proper nutrition, sanitary milking procedures, and veterinary-recommended health programs, our family farms are able to produce high-quality, wholesome milk.
What do the cows eat?
The farmers we work with own pasture-raised cows. This gives the cows a variety in their diets and allows them to make their own choices. For this reason, the cows eat a variety of forages, fresh grasses, and grains, including alfalfa, timothy, and clover. Likewise, these vary from farm to farm, but all our family farms work with nutritionists who actually balance a ratio that includes necessary vitamins and minerals for the cows, depending on their unique needs. This all results in a healthier herd, which ultimately produces healthier milk!
What percent of the cows' diet is made up of grains?
We have over 50 family farms with pasture-raised cows that align with our philosophy of humane treatment. Because we trust in their abilities to care for their cows, the amount of grain included in each diet varies from farm to farm. However, each farm also firmly believes the pasture-raised philosophy is about the lifestyle and choice of the cow. They have access to grass and grain, as well as access to both the barn and pasture. We don’t believe it’s right to advertise 100% grass-fed when all 100% grass-fed cows have a grain supplement for nutrition purposes. Nor is it ethical for other companies to advertise grass-fed when the cows are confined in industrial facilities and never see the light of day. Since they are transporting grass to a confined animal, it weakens the term grass-fed and is misleading to consumers.
What is the omega-3 content of the butter?
Pasture-raised cows consume more omega-3s and less omega-6s as a result of their time spent in the pasture and diet of pasture grass. This difference in their diet produces milk that contains 62% higher proportions of omega-3s than conventional milk.
Why is the butter so yellow?
Our cows eat fresh pasture grass, which results in their milk containing more beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the same pigment that gives carrots and pumpkins their orange color. In the same way, it makes our butter a deeper, more golden yellow.
Is the butter made with homogenized milk?
No, it’s not possible to make butter with homogenized milk. Homogenized milk is milk that has been processed to break down fat molecules so they stay evenly distributed rather than separating and floating to the top. This gives the milk a smooth, consistent texture and helps it last longer. Essentially, it prevents the cream from separating and floating on top, making it easier to pour and enjoy.
What do slow churned and small batch mean?
Making our butter in smaller batches and churning it slowly results in a thicker, creamier, and richer butter than that made in high-volume factories where speed pumps trap air in the butter. When air is trapped in the butter, it loses texture and flavor. By making ours in smaller batches and churning it slowly, we maintain that flavor and texture, making a higher-quality product.
Does our milk contain antibiotics?
All milk is tested for antibiotics before being received at our dairy. According to FDA standards, any milk that tests positive for antibiotics is rejected.
Do we use milk from A2 genetically tested cows?
A2 protein is a very exciting field; the only breed that naturally produces it is the Guernsey. There are only a handful of Guernsey herds in Ohio, and one of them is a Minerva Dairy Farm. Because of this, only a small percentage of all our milk is from A2 cows. It will be long before we see A2 breeding on a large scale to eventually make the milk supply in this region the majority A2 protein. We are, however, closely watching the evolution of A2 testing.
How should I store the butter?
Store our butter in its packaging to protect it from absorbing flavors from other foods. We recommend eating our butter at room temperature to fully appreciate the complex flavors and make it easier to spread. Keep a portion of your butter in a butter dish on the counter or the dinner table while the rest remains in the refrigerator. Then, as you use the butter at room temperature, replace it with the refrigerated portion. As the butter in the refrigerator nears its best-by date, relocate it to the freezer to extend its shelf-life.
Does the butter expire after the best-by date?
No, the butter does not expire after the best-by date; however, we recommend putting it in the freezer by that date to preserve the yummy butter for future use!
How long can I freeze the butter?
Minerva Dairy butter can be frozen for up to 24 months. To protect against freezer burn, which can alter the taste, we recommend placing the original packaging in a resealable plastic bag.
Where can I find Minerva Dairy butter?
Please use our Store Locator to find Minerva Dairy butter products in stores near you, or shop online on Insatcart or Goldbelly to have them delivered directly to your door.
How do you ship your products?
All products ordered online are shipped 2-day air from our facility. For more information about your order, please contact venae@minervadairy.com.
What if the butter I ordered online arrives in an unsatisfactory manner?
We’d love to help. Just send us an email via our contact form, and we’ll respond within one business day.
Are you a distributor, wholesaler, or store looking to carry Minerva Dairy butter?
Contact our sales team directly at venae@minervadairy.com.