Walker Farms, a dairy operation near Aylmer is a fourth-generation family business which began with John M. Walker buying and selling livestock in the 1950s.
Jon Walker Jr. recounts the beginning of the operation.
“My grandfather, he started it where the home farm is today at the corner of Walker Road and Hwy. 3.”
A second operation is off Carter Road, northwest of Aylmer.
“We milk the majority of the cows there. We milk about 1,700 there and at the home farm there are about 400.”
In 1962, John M. Walker began holding monthly sales with buyers from all over Canada, the US, Mexico, and as far away as England, Korea, Japan, and Brazil.
They pride themselves on maintaining high standards of animal welfare, providing the best environment, facilities, and handling procedures for the cows, heifers, and calves.
Their latest venture sees them producing their own A2 Protein Milk for sale across southwestern Ontario and the Greater Toronto/Hamilton area.
Typically, milk in Canada comes from Holstein cows that produce milk that is a mixture of A1 and A2 proteins.
The type of milk depends on the cow’s genes, so A1 cows produce A1 milk, and A2 cows produce A2 protein milk.
However many people have trouble digesting milk.
As Jon explains, “While a small percentage of the Canadian population is truly lactose intolerant, most people are not. If you do not have lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy, your digestive discomfort may be caused by the A1 proteins in milk.”
So, at Walker Farms the production of A2 Protein Milk is allowing some people to enjoy the taste of milk once again.
Unlike other milks at the grocery store, the A2 Protein Milk – both white and chocolate – is produced, processed, and bottled right on the family farm .
But their technological advancements don’t stop there.
With all those heifers and calves on their two farms, that’s a lot of manure to deal with.
And John Walker Jr. explains they are now putting it, along with other organic material, to good use.
“Another project that we’ve added to the farm that we are proud of is our biodigester. We’ve been in operation for about a year now.
“We’re collecting the methane and converting it into renewable natural gas and people in Aylmer are using it. Collecting the methane right off the manure.”
The bio-gas operation is one more way Walker Farms is reducing their carbon footprint and supporting local food systems.
Hear more of our conversation with Jon Walker Jr. below.
Seeds of Success Presented by Elgin County. Fueled by Kubota. Supported by Briwood Farm Market.
