When you’re looking for milk that benefits health, dairy cows, and the environment — 100% grass-fed organic milk comes out ahead compared to conventional and organic milk.
Maple Hill is dedicated to providing families across the U.S. with wholesome, organic, 100% grass-fed dairy products. It all starts with the health of the land, the grass, and the quality of life for the cows on the family farms we partner with. We believe that 100% grass-fed organic dairy farming as part of a regenerative approach to agriculture makes the most delicious milk and superior nutrition while improving the earth for future generations.
Milk provides essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamin D. But conventional milk may come from cows raised in confined conditions, fed non-organic feed, and treated with hormones or antibiotics.
What is Conventional Milk?
Conventional milk in the U.S. describes any milk that is produced on a farm that does not adhere to “organic” specifications, but still follows United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. This means that synthetic growth hormones, GMOs, antibiotics, and pesticides may be used.
You’ve probably seen a dairy farm producing conventional milk products in bulk, with hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of cows raised together on a single farm. There is a legal definition for “organic” dairy which we’ll explore next, but conventional milk broadly describes this wholesale or bulk production and it is sometimes referred to as industrial dairy farming.
Conventional dairy farming has helped bring milk and dairy products to the masses in an affordable, accessible way. That has had immense value for generations of Americans getting the nutrition of dairy. But it has come at a cost– with significant environmental impacts, large-scale operations can contribute to bigger carbon footprints, diminished soil quality, and water pollution caused by farming practices like overgrazing, animal waste runoff, and excessive water use. The pursuit of making more and more milk has also come at a cost to the animal. The U.S. dairy industry relies on millions of cows that experience higher rates of illness and injury in their confinement — ultimately living a much shorter life.
What Makes Milk, Organic?
Organic milk comes from cows raised without antibiotics, hormones, or artificial growth promoters. These cows also spend most of their year grazing out in the pasture.
While organic standards ensure a certain quality, the practices vary widely. Some dairies meet the minimum, while Maple Hill dairies go far beyond — offering cows more pasture time and nutrient-rich grass. In order for milk to be labeled as “organic,” it needs to follow strict and specific guidelines that were set by the USDA, which include:
Requirements for organic milk production include:
No synthetic hormones: Organic dairy cows can’t be treated with synthetic growth hormones which are commonly used in conventional dairy farming.
No genetically engineered (GE) feed: Cows can only eat feed that doesn’t come from genetically engineered plants.
Access to pastures: Cows need to have access to pasture for grazing during the growing season.
Limited use of antibiotics: Antibiotics can only be used with vet supervision to treat specific health conditions.
No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers: Organic dairy farms must avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers on their land.
Organic milk is always free of rBST, a synthetic hormone commonly used in conventional dairy. Organic cows are also bred naturally, without the use of reproductive hormones. This more humane approach results in healthier cows and a higher-quality product.
The 100% Grass-Fed Organic Milk Difference
100% grass-fed organic milk takes all of the best parts of organic milk a step further, with added benefits to dairy cows, consumers, and the environment. 100% grass-fed organic milk comes from cows fed a diet of grasses and forages. During grazing seasons, cows eat primarily pasture. In non-grazing seasons, they consume stored baleage, or dried grass.
Dairy Cows Live Healthier, Happier Lives
While Certified Organic dairy is held to a standard for animal welfare, requiring access to a pasture and fed organic feed, most organic dairy is fed grain– sure, it’s organic grain, but it’s grain nonetheless.
100% grass-fed cows, however, never eat a single grain in their lives. Instead, they have access to only 100% organic grass. And with plenty of space to roam and graze over different pastures, cows tend to have a healthier gut biome and stronger natural immunity. They live longer lives than conventional and standard organic dairy cows, and are less prone to develop ulcers, bloating, and weakened immune systems.
Nutritious, Delicious Dairy
Studies have shown that 100% grass-fed organic dairy cows produce milk that is higher in beneficial fatty acids like omega-3 (which has heart-and-cognition health benefits) and CLA (which boosts immune function).
Omega-6 is typically found in fried and processed food and is considered a “non-beneficial” fatty acid since it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Grass-fed milk has 52% less omega-6 than conventional milk, and 36% less omega-6 than organic milk, which is a superior ratio for our bodies.
In addition to the nutrient-richness of a 100% grass-fed diet, milk produced by 100% grass-fed cows also makes for an incredibly rich, slightly sweet, creamy dairy. Many of our fans say you can taste the difference in grass between milk produced in different seasons throughout the year.
Benefits for the Environment
While Organic dairy removes synthetic substances from production in both animal and soil, 100% grass-fed practices go a step further to actively improve soil health. We know that grass and dairy cows are a natural fit for regenerative farming and carbon cycling. Cows graze on pastures which help capture carbon from the atmosphere, improving soil health and leading to better grass and more nutritious milk. It's a cycle that benefits the environment and provides high-quality dairy products.
Maple Hill cows graze on a diverse mix of grasses, legumes, and rye, which are essential for their health and the sustainability of the pastures. When cows graze on natural pastures, they create a closed-loop system where their waste enriches the soil and promotes diverse plant growth.
You can see all of our 100% grass-fed organic products here, including milk, kefir, greek yogurt, cream on top yogurt, and butter.
For other articles about the meaning and purpose behind 100% grass-fed organic, check out:
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