About OMSCo

OMSCo was formed in 1994 when five like-minded organic dairy farmers joined forces to sell their organic milk. Now with around 500 members, OMSCo is the largest and longest established organic milk supplier in the UK. Here you can find out more about the history, structure and ethos of the co-op.

OMSCo Inside

OMSCo is owned and managed by a group of British organic dairy farmers committed to bringing you the best in organic milk.

The OMSCo mark is your assurance of the highest quality British organic milk.

The OMSCo Philosophy

OMSCo is managed by farmers, for farmers, giving them a collective voice and enabling them to get a fair price for their milk.

The Coop has pioneered honest and open relationships between farmers, processors and retailers which have given us the stability that is so crucial for dairy farmers - securing the future for them and their families.

The OMSCo Family

OMSCo is a nationwide family of organic dairy farmers. Like any other family, it takes special care of its youngsters by offering study bursaries to encourage and assist them into farming.

Being a farmer can often be a lonely experience. At OMSCo, we offer advice, technical help, and create opportunities for our farmers to come together and share their knowledge and experiences.

OMSCo knows that supporting our farmers means supporting their businesses too. We actively encourage diversification into other areas, such as holiday accommodation and school visits.

Unlike other organisations, we also encourage our farmers to use their milk to make dairy products that they can sell directly and at local markets.

Happy, Healthy Cows - Organic Farming

OMSCo farmers know that comfortable, contented cows live longer, healthier lives.

That's why OMSCo cows roam and graze in lush meadows for as much of the year as possible. They enjoy a natural diet of forage such as grass, hay, clover, silage and cereals.

During the winter months when the cows are not grazing pastures, they have plenty of space and comfortable bedding in well aired barns.

Homeopathic and herbal medicines are used to keep organic cows healthy and to treat ailments. The use of antibiotics is limited to when the cow is actually ill and cannot be used as a routine preventative treatment. They may also be used to alleviate suffering. Milk from cows being treated with antibiotics cannot be picked up for processing until seven clear days after treatment ends.

Purely Natural, Naturally Pure - Organic Farming

Organic milk is pure and natural, just like milk used to be.

Independant research has shown that organic milk contains more essential Omega 3 (ALA) fatty acid than non-organic milk. Nutritional differences are linked to the natural diet that the organic cows are fed which has to be high in forage such as fresh grass, silage and clover.

There has never been a case of BSE in an organically born and raised dairy cow.

GM feed cannot be given to organic cows and they graze on fields that are not sprayed with artificial chemical pesticides or fertilisers.

Working with Nature - Organic Farming

OMSCo farmers do not use the artificial chemical pesticides and fertilisers that can harm wild flowers, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Organic farmers continually adapt and adopt a range of practices that protect and encourage wildlife by providing cover and food for insects, birds and mammals.

Organic farmers are not allowed to plough up traditional meadows. They also leave a one metre strip around field boundaries as a wildlife refuge.

Residues from artificial nitrate fertilisers pollute rivers and streams, poisoning the water. Organic farmers use farmyard manure and plant clover to replace nitrogen naturally.