The dairy farmers of CONO Cheese Makers are also this year's champions in outdoor grazing. In 2020, more than 96% of the dairy farms at CONO met the grazing standard, while nationally 83.7% of all Dutch dairy farmers put their cows outside. In 2020, the cows at CONO grazed on average 185 days of 10 hours in the pasture. By doing so, the CONO dairy farmers make an extra contribution to the reduction of nitrogen.

Extreme
weather Recent years have been characterised by dry and warm summers. CONO cows are outside as much as possible, weather permitting. This way, heat stress is avoided as much as possible. By grazing at night, irrigating the land and rationing the fresh grass, for example, the dairy farmers manage to keep the grazing going.

Learned young is done old
CONO dairy farmers also actively graze their young stock. By grazing them at a young age, they get a taste for it. This is a good thing when they become full-fledged dairy cows after a few years. That is why the majority of CONO dairy farmers also let their young cattle graze in the meadow. Because when you learn young, you're old.

Outdoor grazing in the DNA of CONO dairy farmers
For years, the members of CONO have been active in the field of outdoor grazing. The cooperative has supported this with a premium since 2002. That this was a qualitative leap forward in terms of animal welfare, sustainability and milk quality is evidenced by the fact that almost every dairy processor in the Netherlands has now adopted this approach and also offers such a premium. Pasturing remains a priority for the cooperative, so that we can continue to make the best quality cheese and cream for Ben&Jerry's from 100% pasture milk. Now and in the future.