People ask us all the time about the difference between 100% grass fed organic milk versus pasture raised milk– they may sound like they’re the same thing, but there are some important nuances that make all the difference.
The Difference Between 100% Grass-fed Milk and Pasture-raised Milk
Both grass-fed and pasture-raised cows spend time on the pasture, but the primary difference between grass-fed and pasture-raised is the diet the cow eats. Cows that are 100% grass-fed are– of course– fed only grass, 100% of the time, all year round (in the winter when cows roam a frozen pasture that can come in the form of baleage or hay). Pasture-raised cows get plenty of time on a pasture, but their diet can be supplemented by grain and fillers. In short: cows that are 100% grass-fed are pasture-raised. But cows that are pasture-raised are not necessarily fed solely a grass diet.
Both are great for the animal in that they have the freedom to roam in open air, but you can see the 100% grass-fed difference in nutrition, taste, and beyond.
We know that cows were born to eat grass, and a core part of our mission is to raise these animals the way nature intended. That’s why letting them live in their natural environment and feeding them the grass their bodies were designed to digest is so important to us. It doesn’t just keep the cows happier and healthier for longer, it makes the milk they produce better, too. We believe that the power of 100% grass-fed diet extends in so many directions– it’s about treating land with care, it’s about treating the animal with respect, and it’s about making the most delicious milk in the dairy aisle.
At Maple Hill, we’ve been committed to regenerative practices since 2009 because we know the highest quality dairy begins with the health of soil, grass, and cows. We believe that 100% grass-fed organic dairy farming done right is the pinnacle of organic, nourishes families with the best nutrition, and leaves the earth better than we found it. We are proud to be selected as a USDA Climate Smart Partner — supporting the production of climate smart commodities throughout the United States.
Our 100% Grass-fed Organic dairy products include: 100% grass-fed whole milk, 100% grass-fed 2% reduced fat milk, 100% grass-fed butter (salted and unsalted), 100% grass-fed kefir (plain, vanilla, and strawberry), 100% grass-fed greek yogurt (plain and vanilla bean), and 100% grass-fed cream-on-top yogurt (plain and vanilla).
