Belnori Cheesery

Boutique Cheesery specialising in Goats cheese

The Belchers keep a herd of Saanen goats, with 135 milking ewes, 42 kids, and five rams. Rams are kept separate from the milking ewes to prevent their scent from affecting the milk’s flavor.

Ewes are shampooed before milking to ensure absolute cleanliness, which is critical in preventing any “goaty” taste in the cheese. Milking occurs twice daily on an automated system, keeping a hygienic and efficient schedule.

These animals are not pasture raised. The Goats receive a mix of 50% eragrostis hay and 50% high-protein lucerne for roughage and are supplemented with a diet that includes maize, soya meal, wheat, and essential trace elements. 

Environmentally speaking, the goats’ are not raised in a way to improve the soil. They live outdoors, in free range pens with plenty of space. Saanen goats are not ideally suited to grazing as they produce lower-quality watered down milk if left to forage on pasture. 

Breeding Program: The breeding season begins in late February, with careful hand-pairing of ewes and rams. Ewes ready for mating show specific signs, like vocal changes and restlessness, and are mated quickly to minimize stress.