Livestock of Kefalonia

At Kefalonia in 600.000 acres of pastures graze 150.000 sheep and goats, which produce sheep and goat milk and meat in extensive breeding conditions (free in pastures) with complementary feed, whenever needed. The variety in the flora and the semi-mountainous island environment contribute to the excellent quality of milk and other livestock products.

The animals are kept in healthy breeding conditions in modern improved units and the production of meat and milk is done with modern technological means. Every day the milk is transported to stainless steel ice buckets and from there directly to the cheesemakers of the island.

The sheep and goat population consists of sheep of Kefalonia and goat, whose genetic composition is ideal for the exploitation of the pastures of the island and the Great Mountain, Ainos. Their yields are satisfactory and as much as they should be in order to guarantee the quality of the livestock products.

The dairies of Kefalonia have been modernized in accordance with National and Community Legislation. They are certified with HACCP specifications and produce products of exceptional quality, applying traditional methods that have existed for a long time in the area, in combination with modern technological means.

The life of the inhabitants around Ainos has always been connected with it livestock, The cheese art and trade corresponding products. Until the catastrophic earthquake of 1953, animal husbandry was considered one of the main activities of the inhabitants of the settlements around Ainos, which was the main lever of development of the island.

Kefalonian cattle breeders gained international recognition by preparing the famous "Feta of Kefallinia", the excellent kefalotyri, the idiosyncratic prenza, but also butter, cheese, yoghurt etc. Unfortunately the Kefalonia feta was not registered as a PDO product, and so now it can not be called feta and is no longer called Barrel cheese of Kefalonia.