Cows are ruminants. That means they're designed to eat grass. Grazing on pasture during the growing season keeps cows happy and healthy and helps them produce high-quality milk.

In addition to grazing on pasture, organic cows may be given certified organic feed such as grain and hay to make sure their nutritional needs are met. Certified organic feed is used on organic farms of all sizes to sustain cows through the winter, and sometimes to supplement pasture nourishment during the growing season. Careful attention to diet helps keep Horizon Organic milk consistently nutritious and delicious.

Current organic rules don't specify how much time organic dairy cows should spend on pasture. But Horizon Organic thinks grazing is so important that we've asked the USDA National Organic Program to amend the standards to require at least 120 days of grazing time each year. We are already working to make this guideline a part of our own internal standards.

Grazing is Nature's perfect design for cow nourishment. Strolling to and from pastureland gives the cows exercise; the cows naturally fertilize pasture with manure; grazing promotes health by exposing the cows to plenty of fresh air; and finally, grazing conserves energy by allowing the animals to "harvest" their own feed, rather than using tractors to cultivate hay or grain.