Spotlight on our organic Creamery, Cattle & Dairy

REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

Organic farming methods can actually reverse some of the harm already caused. Grazing cattle can help restore grasslands and soil, sequestering CO2 in the process.

FULL LIFECYCLE OF NUTRIENTS

We use the manure from the cows as a natural fertiliser in our farming.

This rich manure is high in nutrients and extremely fertile, enabling us to return nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous to the soil, encouraging the growth of new vegetation and sequestering even more carbon.

We are proud of the cycle we have created and the wastage we avoid by reusing manure.

BETTER QUALITY, BETTER NUTRITION

The Soil Association estimates that average yields in UK organic milk production are around 20% less than in intensive production. While our milk yields may be smaller than the more intensive farms, we are proud that our organic milk is high in quality. Not only is it deliciously rich and creamy but analysis by Glasgow and Liverpool Universities found that organic milk has more beneficial omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E and beta carotene than non-organic milk and 68% higher levels of essential fatty acids. 

HAPPY, HEALTHY COWS

High quality, nutritious milk starts with happy, healthy cows and we strive to ensure our herds have the best possible lives.

From the moment they are born, our calves are looked after with the highest standards. They stay with their mothers for 5 days, taking full advantage of her milk for up to 14 weeks or until they are ready to move to natural solids. The solids consist of a forage-based diet of silage and hay grown on our organic pastures, allowing the natural rumination process to start. At no point do our calves consume a powdered substitute.

NATURAL RUMINATION

Natural rumination is a huge benefit of our cows’ forage-based diet, allowing them to regurgitate the cud until they have extracted every possible nutrient from it. Our organic grass and silage is ideal for this process, unlike a corn or grain-based diet which makes regurgitation and the extraction of nutrients difficult.

Our cows’ diets are made up only of grass and hay in the summer, with some homegrown organic cereals added in the winter to give extra protein during the cooler months. 

CHOOSING OPTIMUM BREEDS

We are extremely proud of our organic pedigree British Friesian and heritage Gloucester herds, both sustainable "dual purpose" breeds that provide both milk and meat and thrive in our organic farming system.

We do not give our animals growth hormones or routine antibiotics and monitor each animal closely to ensure they are healthy and happy. Their organic feed is GM-free and they remain in the same social groups throughout their lives. These breeds have long, healthy lifespans and high lactation rates. 

OUR PACKAGING

Our milk’s Ecoclean pouch is made from Calymer which contains 40% chalk, a natural material that uses minimal energy to produce and that requires no chemical processes to extract it. Produced in the UK, our pouches are not transported by air and come hygienically sealed, eliminating the need for an additional washing process at the point of filling. Our pouch represents a significant effort to reduce our carbon footprint compared to the standard HDPE plastic bottle on supermarket shelves.

POSITIVE CHOICES FOR THE FUTURE

At Daylesford, we are constantly striving to ensure we tread as lightly as we can on this planet, making improvements to our organic farming operations, packaging and energy usage year on year.

FLAVOUR AND TASTE

Our organic unhomogenised whole milk was awarded a star in the Great Taste Awards 2020.

The judges commented: “beautifully creamy and smooth looking milk. Though creamy, it was very clean on the palate. This milk had a good mouthfeel and the right fat content…so much better than mass produced or supermarket milk. It had a good flavour and deserved a star.”