Cheeses solve retirement woes

Now, 10 years later, the couple own the thriving Belnori Boutique Cheesery in Bapsfontein, producing about 1,200kg of goat's cheese a month during peak season. "We're aiming at 2,500kg eventually," says Rina. "Not more because we want the focus to remain on quality."

Their product, which has won international and local prizes, is made from the milk of Swiss Saanen goats bred and raised on their 13ha property.

"The goats are numbered at birth, their parentage is recorded to avoid future in-breeding and their milk production is meticulously monitored throughout their lives," says Norman. "We give them numbers rather than names because otherwise I become too attached to them and it is too upsetting when they die," says Rina.

Goats are kept for seven or eight years but a "star" female already nine years old still gives about five litres of milk a day.

"I'm hoping she'll have a male descendant and pass on her genes. We want a smaller herd with bigger production."

Having started with just four ewes and a single ram, Belnori (derived from the couple's names) now has 200 goats and is aiming for a herd of 250. It also has about 10 milk-producing sheep.

With a staff of nine, Belnori packs, distributes and markets its own products and even prints its own labels inhouse. They do not advertise.

"We regard winning prizes at competitions as the best advertising. We won our first award after just eight months."

Belnori cheese is sold at food fairs, some hotels and restaurants and is available at Woolworths.

Source: Financial Mail via I-Net Bridge