Did you know that the first dairy sheep in Latvia were brought straight to Brunava?

Iluta Straģe, owner of the «Piena aitas» brand, knew even as a child that animals and nature were her calling, and as time has gone by, her dream has come true. Iluta has succeeded in creating a green oasis amidst the vast fields of Zemgale, basing her farming activities on the principles of organic farming and the use of grassland, including the extensive management of the natural meadows along the banks of the Mēmele River.

Natural meadows are a rarity in Zemgale, and Iluta is proud to have succeeded in preserving this natural treasure. But none of this would be possible without the hard-working keepers of the meadows – the sheep. Iluta pioneered an approach to sheep farming that is unusual in Latvia – rearing dairy sheep and producing dairy products. It all began with Ansīte and Grietiņa, a pair of sheep from Estonia, and Iluta now has a valuable flock of Osfriesian dairy sheep and a wide range of products.

The farm produces ice cream, yoghurt, desserts, fresh cheese and matured hard cheese from sheep’s milk. Iluta also makes caraway cheese from sheep’s milk – a product that was not previously available in Latvia.

The farm produces more than just food – in collaboration with the natural cosmetics manufacturer GUSTO, it produces a body cream made from sheep’s fat, which has already received a great deal of positive feedback. Iluta also produces sheep fat soap with softening and healing properties. Sheepskins and sheep’s wool are also produced. Those interested are offered the chance to learn about the specifics of sheep farming and production during an in-person tour, and to sample the delicacies produced.

At the «Novada garša» product quality competition in 2022, the cheese matured at Lobgale Manor – created and nurtured by Iluta – was awarded a gold medal. Iluta has also received recognition from Bauska District – the honorary title of «Bauska District Home Producer of the Year 2021».

Iluta is constantly on the go. As well as working on the farm and bringing up five children, she takes her produce to markets herself, attends training courses and plays an active role in the Bauska Rural Women’s Club «Apvārsnis».