(Family Features) While the difference between dairy alternatives such as oat, almond and other nut milks is easier to decipher, choosing between organic dairy varieties can be more difficult.

Organic milk certified by the United States Department of Agriculture comes from cows that get plenty of time outside and have not been treated with antibiotics or given hormones for growth or reproduction. However, cows that eat a 100% grass-fed organic diet – no grains, corn or other food – are healthier, produce higher quality milk, have greater positive environmental impacts and support small family farms.

Consider these benefits of 100% grass-fed dairy from the experts at Maple Hill, which provides dairy products as nature intended, including milk, kefir, yogurt and butter. This natural way to produce dairy leads to a rich taste and texture, and you can taste the 100% grass-fed difference.

Better for You
Providing dairy as nature intended with high nutritional impact and a rich taste and texture comes from feeding cows a 100% grass diet, free from additives, fillers, GMOs, hormones and antibiotics. This practice results in milk that is more nutrient-dense and flavorful. Research conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension highlights the benefits of consuming organic dairy sourced from 100% grass-fed organic farms, revealing a 50% healthier ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 and 40% higher levels of conjugated linoleic acids fatty acids, which contribute to many health benefits including lowering the risk of heart disease.

While traditional organic dairy includes the organic certification, 100% grass-fed dairy includes a second grass-fed certification, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of regenerative farming practices that lead to rich and artisanal dairy products that are natural and healthier.

Better for the Environment
Producing grass-fed organic dairy necessitates a farm’s dedication to regenerating soil and fostering biodiversity within it, a foundation that sustains all aspects of farm life. Leading with regenerative grazing techniques, Maple Hill farms stimulate microbial activity in the soil, enhance water retention and sequester carbon, which promotes positive environmental impacts.

The grazing herds play a pivotal role in this process. The soil is healthier as a result of the grazing cows, which produces more nutritious grass and leads to healthier cows. This farming system epitomizes the essence of regenerative agriculture and results in nutrient dense dairy products.

Better for the Cow
In traditional organic dairy farming, up to 70% of a cow’s diet can consist of organic grain, whereas 100% grass-fed organic farming eschews grain entirely. Cows naturally thrive on grass, yet recent practices by farmers include feeding them corn, grain and other foods to boost milk production, potentially compromising the cows’ well-being and the milk’s quality. Because grass is a cow’s natural food source, cows with 100% grass-fed organic diets can live more than two times longer compared to cows with traditional organic diets.

Better for the Farmer
Grass-fed organic farming stands out as one of the most viable pathways for small family farms to thrive in the dairy industry, which has become increasingly industrialized. Smaller than a traditional organic dairy herd with an average of just 50 cows, Maple Hill’s 100% grass-fed family farms lead with regenerative practices and produce high product quality control.

Higher milk revenues allow family farms to compete and prosper, ensuring the continuity of their operations for future generations. These farms uphold 100% regenerative farming practices, yielding humane and traceable grass-fed organic dairy – a legacy that endures through the commitment of succeeding generations.

Learn about the 100% grass-fed organic dairy difference at maplehill.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (mother and daughter)

Source: Maple Hill