Questions and Answers

What is different about organic milk?

British organic cows are not fed GM (genetically modified) feed, are only given antibiotics when they are ill and do not graze on pastures treated with artificial pesticides.

How much does organic milk cost?

Organic milk costs around 14 pence per pint more than ordinary milk. We have estimated that it costs the average family only around £35 more per year to switch to organic milk.

Why does organic milk cost more?

Organic milk is a high quality product and costs the farmer more to produce it.

There are many reasons why it costs more to produce organic milk. Organic cows are given more space, so you have fewer cows in a herd and each organic cow will produce less milk. There are also higher costs, for example, non-GM [genetically modified] cattle feed is more expensive to provide.

Why is organic milk better for our health than ordinary milk?

Organic production methods minimise the risk of 'pesticide residues', or tiny traces of chemicals being left in our food. Although all pesticides are tested individually and 'safety' limits set, no research has been carried out into how the chemicals react when combined.

Organic milk also contains much more omega3 than ordinary milk which, among other benefits, is essential for maintaining a healthy heart, supple and flexible joints, healthy growth and strong bones and teeth.

It also contains more CLA [conjugated linoleic acid] than ordinary milk, which is thought to boost your immune function.

Where can I buy organic milk and dairy products?

All major supermarkets stock organic milk, and organic dairy products such as Yeo Valley yogurts and Lye Cross cheese are made with organic milk.

Is organic milk pasteurised?

Yes, organic milk is treated in exactly the same way as ordinary milk. It is pasteurised (heated to kill germs), and usually homogenised (cream and milk mixed together).

Does organic milk taste different?

Some people say they can taste a slight difference but there is no significant difference in the taste of liquid milk. Organic cheese however can have a more creamy taste than normal cheeses.

How is organic farming better for the environment?

Organic farmers look after wildlife by not using any artificial pesticides (fungicides, insecticides or herbicides) on the grass. Organic farmers avoid cutting hedges between March and October when birds are nesting. They also look after the soil by using traditional techniques like crop rotation.

Is organic farming good for our water supply?

By using natural fertilisers, organic farmers make sure that our water supplies aren't poisoned by too many nitrates found in chemical fertilisers used on non-organic farms.

If they don't use chemicals, how do organic farmers protect their crops?

They use natural methods like weeding by hand, using physical barriers, and natural predators of slugs like hedgehogs and toads. They use farmyard manure and seaweed to make the soil richer.

Are cows treated any differently on an organic farm?

In organic farming, animals are provided with comfortable, clean shelter and plenty of space. Organic farmers believe that the stress imposed on animals by intensive regimes such as feeding high levels of protein to stimulate rapid growth or milk production, cramped housing or the routine use of antibiotics can all cause ill health.

Why do cows produce milk anyway?

When cows give birth to a calf, they produce milk. If they are regularly milked throughout the year, this milk keeps coming! A cow is 'dried off' and rested for two months before she gives birth again.

How are cows milked?

Most dairy cows are milked twice a day - at 6 o'clock in the morning and 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The milking is done by machine. A gentle vacuum in a cup attached to the udder's teats draws out the milk. The milk is then piped to a refrigerated vat where it is held at 3°C or below.

What happens to cows in the winter?

All dairy herds are brought into warm barns with beds of straw where they live during the winter when the grass stops growing and the weather becomes cold and wet. Organic cows get more indoor space than non-organic cows.