Don’t think that high quality beef is the only locally raised cow product you can find in the Llano Estacado. Thanks to Pereira Pastures Dairy, you can also have fresh, local raw milk, cream, buttermilk, kefir, and European-style sour cream.
Albert and Veronica Pereira have been providing the Llano with fresh milk since 2007, when they moved from California to their dairy outside of Abernathy. The Pereira family are no strangers to farm life. Both of them grew up with farming backgrounds, and Albert was raised on a dairy in California. A trip to the dairy is definitely be worth your time. The Pereiras (and their dog, Max) are incredibly hospitable. As they’re working, they’ll gladly show you around the dairy and answer any questions you might have. They also have an active Facebook page and will answer any questions you might have!
Our family had a blast at the diary. Our kids loved getting to pet the calves and run around. It was also a great opportunity to teach our children where some of their food comes from.
When you visit the dairy, you also have an opportunity to watch the cows being milked, and you’re able to see that things are kept clean and sanitized. Inside is a cooler holding the milk, and a box to place your money. We paid $7 for a gallon of milk, $8 for a pint of cream, and $5 for a half gallon of buttermilk.
Pereira Pastures also offers a cowshare program. To join the cowshare program, you pay an initial $75 deposit (if you choose to leave the program at any time, you receive this deposit back), and then pay $26 each month. Each week, you will receive a gallon of milk from your share.
It’s likely that you have some questions about raw milk vs. the milk you buy in a store. We highly recommend doing research to reach your own conclusion, but we have found that there are a wide range of benefits that come from drinking raw milk. To learn more, you can visit their FAQ page.
Want some suggestions on ways you can use your raw milk, cream, buttermilk, sour cream, and kefir? Here are some ideas:
- Buttermilk pancakes or waffles
- Buttermilk biscuits
- Ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Butter
- Alfredo sauce
- Topping for tacos or quesadillas
- Kefir smoothies
