Farm characteristics
After graduating in Agricultural Sciences and with work experience in the pastures of the Canton Ticino, in 2002 she started, together with her husband Renato Tomasini, the activity of raise goats and making cheese in the mountains. In 2009, the family agritourism activity began as a complementary element to breeding.
Location – The farm is located on the north side of Monte Sasso del Ferro in Vararo at an altitude of 754 m.
The agricultural area used for grazing is about 10 hectares. These areas currently reused are characterized by the presence of a transitional flora typical of ex-meadows and ex-pastures that have not been used for a long time. In fact, a shrubby and herbaceous flora typical of the undergrowth prevails but with species that have a high degree of appetibility especially for the goat species.
Bred animals – Currently the goat herd consists of 32 lactation animals of the breed Camosciata of the Alps.
The production system – Production is based on the direct transformation of milk in the farm dairy. Dairy production is very diversified and is characterized by goat-only raw milk processing with self-produced ferments. The most marketed products are fresh and seasoned lactic and persamic cheeses, blue cheese, and yogurt.
Particular is the production of lactic cheese with flowering crust, goat blue and Sancarlin de Varès.
The marketing of the products takes place mainly directly to private individuals (in the company and door-to-door delivery), to GAS and through specialized stores.
Goat herd management system –
The management system is characterized by the possibility of grazing. The grazing season, depending on the climatic conditions, runs from April until the whole month of November with a daily duration of about 3-4 hours. Grazing is carried out by leading the flock taking advantage of floristic diversity, alternating the undergrowth areas with the lightening areas where the herbaceous cotic prevails. The hay used is locally sourced and represents the carrier of the ration equal to 60% of the dry matter ingested. To increase the quality of the fodder used, medical hay in pellets is also used.
As an integration, a mix based on raw materials is used: protein pea and grain corn, plus a mineral vitamin supplement administered at certain times.
The use of such a compound mix combined with the use of medical pellets allows to give a certain flexibility in terms of nutritional contributions to better meet the needs of the flock in the different phases of the annual cycle, also with respect to the variable contributions given by hay and pasture. The quantities distributed during lactation vary from 600 to 800 grams per head/day. The average production of the flock over the entire lactation is about 700 kg of milk per head.
