Archaeologists Find Ancient Cheese Makers Used Tree Leaves to Boost Milk Production

Nov 13, 2024

By Doris Fleischer

A study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution sheds light on the innovative practices of Central Europe's early cheese makers.

Researchers at German Archaeological Institute (Berlin), University of Bristol, Museum National d'historie Naturelle (Paris) and Kiel University conducted and collated over 2,000 stable isotopic measurements of cattle teeth, bones, and pottery fats, revealing how pioneer farmers adapted their cattle herding techniques to the rich forested landscape of Central Europe.

Led by Dr. Rosalind Gillis from the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, the study highlights an intriguing early practice: feeding cattle with leaves collected from trees during the summer to sustain them through the winter.

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Video: Food Inflation and Pork Demand - Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, discusses how food inflation is reshaping Canadian protein demand. He explains why pork remains competitively priced, consumer behavior, and why transparency, AI-assisted shopping, and protein demand will matter in the years ahead. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The potential of pork is there. We just need to see the product assume that role and take it away because all the elements are there."

Meet the guest: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Management and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab. His research focuses on food distribution, food policy, food safety, food security, and traceability. Dr. Charlebois has written four books and more than 500 peer-reviewed and scientific articles. He holds a BComm from the Royal Military College, an MBA from UQAM, and a DBA from the University of Sherbrooke. Learn more from Dr. Sylvain Charlebois on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.