Stewardship

Organic Stewardship Report

Environmental Footprint

Platteville, Colorado Dairy Farm
•      Herd: 1350 cows
•      Pasture: 490 acres

Gill, Colorado (High Plains Dairy Farm)
•      Herd : 6,080 cows
•      Pasture: 2,210 acres

Dublin, Texas (Pepper Dairy Farm)
•      Herd : 2,440 cows
•      Pasture: 1,390 acres

Stratford, Texas (Coldwater Dairy Farm)
•      Herd : 7,020 cows
•      Pasture: 3,310 acres

Colorado Department of Agriculture
•      Platteville, Colorado
•      Gill, Colorado

Quality Assurance International
•      Dublin, Texas
•      Stratford, Texas

Free-Stall Barns
•      High Plains,  Pepper, Coldwater

Loose Housing
•      Platteville, High Plains, Pepper, Coldwater

Tie Stall or Stanchion Barns
•      Never used on AOD farms

Both lactating and dry cows pastured regularly during the grazing season in accordance with USDA National Organic Program regulations. On average pasture provides at least 30% of dry matter intake over the course of the grazing season.

Rations Include: hay, silages, pasture, corn, barley, wheat, soy bean meal, soy hulls, vitamin and mineral supplement. Rations developed by nutritionist to meet animals’ needs. Rations vary seasonally and due to availability.

Artificial insemination and natural breeding with bulls.

Validus Animal Welfare Certification
•      Evaluation of animal welfare metrics by dairy scientists
•      Benchmarking of results and tracking over time
•      Recommendations for continuous improvement

Retail
•      Half gallon milk
•      Gallon milk
•      16 ounce butter

Ingredients
•      Farm milk
•      Bulk cream
•      Nonfat dry milk powder

Quality Assurance International
•      AOD milk processing plant
•      Butter & powder contract manufacturers

Quality tests conducted include:
•      Temperature
•      Acidity
•      Bacteria
•      Somatic Cell Count
•      Composition
•      Flavor

•      All-Star Dairies Quality Award: 2008 and 2010
•      Extended HTST Shelf Life: 25 days (from manf. date)
•      Ultra Pasteurized Shelf Life: 68 days (from manf. date)
•      Food Safety: SQF Level 3