HWN Suggests

The case for grass-fed dairy

As I went grocery shopping with my parents last year, I was looking for grass-fed milk for my toddler. They were surprised that I was so particular about it, thinking it was just a marketing ploy. Then they asked me, well, what else would you feed a cow? Turns out, our system of industrial agriculture has been feeding cows anything but grass. Cows are kept on feedlots and fattened up on a high-carb diet of grain and corn. This makes them fall sick and they’re then given antibiotics on a regular basis…these are the constituents of conventional milk (yes, even organic) that is widely available in supermarkets today. Is it any wonder that conventional dairy is inflammatory?

read full article

Featured

 Your “grass-fed” milk may actually not be. But a new technology could change that

How much fresh grass did the “grass-fed” cows who make your milk eat? A team of scientists from Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has found a new technique they say can determine exactly that. Their findings, reported in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry last month, suggest that fluorescence spectroscopy—a relatively cheap and simple form of light measurement—could be a way to assure shoppers about “grass-fed” claims in the supermarket. And it could prove to be an important tool for transparency in the organic dairy sector, where cows are required to spend time foraging outdoors—something critics allege doesn’t always happen.

Articles of Interest

Why Grass fed milk is better

Cows are ruminants, which means they evolved to eat grass. Grass is highly nutritious, but inedible to humans as we simply don’t have the digestive capacity to break it down (how many stomachs do you have?) We need cows to do that for us. Grass fed milk refers to milk from cows that ate nearly 100% forage (grasses) their whole life. That means fresh green grasses, and dried grasses like alfalfa (especially during winter months.) Low level supplements such as molasses or minerals are allowed while still retaining the label “Grass fed.”

Grass-fed cows produce healthier milk

"Grassmilk" cows receive an essentially 100 percent organic grass and legume forage-based diet, via pasture and stored feeds like hay and silage.

Grass-Fed Milk Is Taking Off With Health-Conscious Shoppers

There is no federal regulation of the term "grass-fed" for dairy products. The USDA sets standards for grass-fed beef and certified organic food.

Is it healthier to drink grass-fed or organic milk?

Move over almond milk. Thanks to the appearance of grass-fed dairy in grocery stores, cow's milk could be making a comeback with health-conscious consumers already looking for nearly-natural foods. While all types of milk are equivalent when it comes to calcium and vitamin D, it turns out grass-fed milk has other nutritional advantages.

The eco guide to grass-fed

Using products from livestock reared on grass as opposed to grain improves the lives of farm animals – and it has health benefits, too. Studies suggest grass-fed milk contains far more omega-3 (desirable), and far less omega-6 (undesirable) than industrially raised cow-juice. It can also help ensure livestock products are free of GMOs, as most conventional feed contains GM ingredients. Plus, animals reared outside are given fewer antibiotics.

The mysteries of grass-fed milk

Supposedly it is better for health. And supposedly the cows are happier if they can dance around in the sunshine doing what comes naturally. And supposedly it makes us more cost-efficient than our international competitors. There is an element of truth to all of the above notions. But more often than not there is lots of myth intertwined with truth.

The Truth About Grass-Fed Milk Versus Organic

Let’s clear up the organic milk versus grass-fed milk confusion once and for all. Look for the "Certified Grass-Fed Organic Dairy" seal to make sure your milk is truly from grass-fed cows.

The Well-Deserved Hype Behind Organic Grassmilk

Grass has amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants that when consumed change the nutrients that will be passed into a cow’s milk. Better nutrients for cows mean better nutrients in their milk and better nutrients for you and your family!

The “Grass-Fed” Milk Story: Understanding the Impact of Pasture Feeding on the Composition and Quality of Bovine Milk

Milk is a highly nutritious food that contains an array of macro and micro components, scientifically proven to be beneficial to human health. While the composition of milk is influenced by a variety of factors, such as genetics, health, lactation stage etc., the animal’s diet remains a key mechanism by which its nutrition and processing characteristics can be altered. Pasture feeding has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on the nutrient profile of milk, increasing the content of some beneficial nutrients such as Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vaccenic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), while reducing the levels of Omega-6 fatty acids and palmitic acid.