Land farming, outdoor grazing and a ration of grass go hand in hand. It is actually very simple. Everything a cow eats is reflected in the milk, and thus in the cheese. Land-based companies with a lot of grassland and outdoor grazing produce a lot of protein from their own grass. Increasing feed consumption and reducing inputs such as feed concentrates are part of closed substance cycle farming. Grass and clovers are nitrogen fixers and directly supply protein from our own soil. The CONO farms are largely self-sufficient with their own feed/protein thanks to grass. Permanent grassland and for example herb-rich grassland is very sustainable because it improves soil health, increases biodiversity and fixes carbon (CO2) in the soil.

All CONO dairy farmers feed their cows concentrate without genetically modified ingredients. We follow the German VLOG quality standard, which requires the entire chain to be GMO-free. From grass to cheese. So both the corn, wheat or sugar beets from their own land (that is already regulated in European legislation) and the soya and rapeseed in the concentrated feed that is brought in from elsewhere in the world. In addition, it must be ensured that the cows do not come into contact with genetically modified products through the feed of other cattle on the farm. CONO milk is therefore 100% GMO-free. And the members receive an extra cent for this.

An average ration consists mainly of grass. The good thing is that fresh grass, of which we luckily have a lot in our country, is full of protein. Plus some sugar. And therefore forms the best basis for good milk quality with an optimum fatty acid composition. The more food the cows eat naturally, the less concentrate they have to buy from elsewhere.

CONO dairy farmers are in the midst of society and often open their farms up to visitors during open days, cow-in-the-weather days and through meeting rooms and farm shops. There are even CONO farms with child day care, farm education and day care for care clients. These so-called side branches provide an extra source of income on the farm. Often, such a side-branch is run by a family member. The farmyard is bustling with activity thanks to visitors, customers of the farm shop and all family members who pull together the strings. A good example of a real new trend: the emergence of short food chains.