Our last engagement for the day was a visit to the Ashgrove Dairy Farm Factory. Here we tasted the selection of cheeses illustrated in the photo. The Rubicon Red and the Wasabi flavoured were my favourites!
As a lover of sweeter delights, I also treated myself to a Hokey-Pokey Ice Cream cone - 2 scoops - delicious.
Just a couple of photos to share from the farm - 'The Cow Mobile' - with some very regal looking occupants and the Cheese Store! I've also added some photos of the rich countryside as we drove from Sheffield to the farm.
The story of the Farm is interesting and you can read more at:
I've taken the liberty of downloading from this site a synopsis of the main elements of how this now famous business originated.
"FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 1908
It all started with a few sheep, a paddock full of vegetables and a herd of dairy cows.
This was Eddington Farm, Ashgrove's original parcel of land, in 1908.
Back in those days, 'pasture-raised' and 'organic' were just the norm, and family enterprises like Eddington provided top-notch products for their community.
But as the years marched on, the value of dairy took a tumble. Big players flooded the market with cheap milk and made it tough for local farmers to compete on price.
Brothers, Michael and John Bennett were born and raised on Eddington Farm in the 1940s, and together with their wives Maureen and Connie, formed the Ashgrove Farm Partnership in 1983.
Their goal was to gain independence from low commodity prices by adding extra value to their milk.
So they took a leap of faith and became an on-farm dairy manufacturer, establishing the Ashgrove Farm Factory and specialising in premium quality, traditionally-styled cheese at source.
FARMING FOR OVER 100 YEARS
Ashgrove's on-farm factory is proudly supplied by six family farms and five dairies, each playing a vital role in crafting exceptional dairy products. Each operated with generations of care and dedication by the Bennett families.
Some of the farms are nestled right next to world heritage-listed wilderness areas, while others lie along riverbanks or beneath dramatic bluffs. These farms thrive in Tasmania's unique conditions, where the 41° latitude™ and sustainable farming practices create exceptionally fertile land.
In Tassie's cool temperate climate, slow-growing grasses naturally brim with nutrients. The cows graze freely on these lush pastures, roaming open paddocks as nature intended. You can see the golden glow in their milk—a testament to the mineral-rich grasses they enjoy.
The Bennett families and their dedicated farming partners take immense pride in caring for the soil, pastures, trees, wildlife, and waterways. They use traditional fertilisers, avoid GMOs, and proactively protect native bushland and waterways to encourage vibrant ecosystems.
With a localised approach to farming, these dairies keep food miles incredibly low - sometimes just metres - ensuring unparalleled freshness. It's this close connection to the land, the cows, and their craft that defines their dedication to quality.
This isn't just farming; it's a legacy of passion and provenance passed down through generations, pouring heart into every drop of milk. That's the true essence of Ashgrove.
WELCOME TO MOO-TOPIA
Every day at Ashgrove starts in the same way: caring for the cows that supply the on-farm factory with fresh, premium milk.
Milking happens at dawn, and the cows know the routine. They make their way to the milking sheds, some still grazing, and eagerly await their milking time.
The cows are handled gently from birth, raised in a low-stress and sensitive manner. This, when combined with a natural lifestyle of roaming freely on open pastures, leads unsurprisingly to milk of exceptional quality.
The herds on the family farms are a special mix of Brown Swiss, Jersey, and Holstein-Friesian breeds. Brown Swiss and Jersey cows are chosen for their creamy, high-butterfat milk, while Holstein-Friesians are valued for their robustness and strong production capacity.
With a focus on animal welfare and sustainable farming practices, the Ashgrove farming families always strive to produce the finest milk possible. Committed to the health and happiness of the cows that supply our factory, ensuring the best quality at every step."
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