When you write about Israel and its economy, every now and again you are see the wierd, which often comes attached a powerful commercial theme.

This week, Jews around the world celebrated the Festival of Shavuot (Pentecost). One of the customs is to eat milk products on the day. Our house was duly swamped with cheese cakes, creme brulee, quiches and other tasty goodies.

In parallel, the media gleefully reported that “Israeli cow yields 11,292 liters – almost double amount produced by European cows”. It seems that Israel may not have large herds or massive grazing areas. It may not be known for Grade A steaks. But the country has learnt how to “butter up” mama cow.

Clearly, there is something in the earth of the Holy Land. Even the cows under Barak Obama yield on average 20% less than those surrounded by rabbis and other priests.

For many in the world, the cow has an important religious status. In Israel, it is the sign of the country’s largest confectionary manufacturer, Strauss-Elite. It is a brand that kids grow up with and the company is unable to change it. 

Israel has long been considered a pioneer in agricultural technology, and not just drip irrigation. It has developed leading software for herd management and for diaries. Many kibbutzim are learning to use biomass from their farms and convert it into electricity.

I never thought about it in this context, but it would appear that Israel possesses some of the sweetest cows in the world.