argia.eus
INPRIMATU
Belaz
Living in the farmhouse by relating traditional systems with the new ones
  • Markel Garaizabal Buldain and Berenice López Reyes live in the Zenitaldekoa farmhouse in the Zenita district of Elorrio. In the farmhouse and from the farmhouse. “About ten years ago we started working in the family farmhouse, especially in the garden. Then we were traveling for two years, but in return we decided to make a more serious wager and put dairy cows.” This is how Garaizabal explains the beginnings of the project that today is called Belaze. Yogurt and fresh cheese are today one of the most important parts of its production, but not the only one. They also continue with the garden, fruit trees and other animals based on diversification.
Garazi Zabaleta 2022ko maiatzaren 26a

Both young people have preserved the format of traditional farmhouse with a little of everything: orchard, cows, pigs, hens, fruit… They work in an ecological model, although in some productive area they have no seal, as in pigs and hens. “We do a lot of things like before, but we also try to apply new techniques,” he says. These innovations include the so-called "regenerative livestock". The producer explains, in simple words, what it is: “It basically consists of dividing the field into small portions, and in each plot only the cows make one day.”

Why are they in that model? From the point of view of productivity and also from the point of view of land, the Biscayan states that this system brings only benefits. “We have always talked about the model of extensive livestock farming, but technically it is not entirely positive, especially on the ground, because there is over-exploitation.” With the technique of sailboats, each plot has a significant impact, but for a very short period of time, with enough time for rest and recovery. “The grass retains strength in the roots and has had time to regenerate the cow to return to that portion,” he says. At the same time, the daily consumption of fresh and new grass on a new plot is beneficial for the cow, and this system also allows for a more uniform distribution of the fertilizer.

Visits to make the rural world known

The members of Belaz have their processing center in their own dwelling, where they transform all the milk they extract from the seven cows they currently have. “The production is small, we take about 70 liters a day,” he says. Their products are sold for direct sale or in nearby shops, and in the cottage there is also a small shop that diffuses two days a week and in guided tours.

In fact, Garaizabal and López were joined last year by a third member to attend the guided visits to the hamlet. “Another of our goals is to make the rural world known to people and show that this can be a real professional option,” he says.