Animal welfare is an issue we take very seriously. It matters to our customers as well as our colleagues and, because healthy cows produce more milk, directly impacts the livelihoods of dairy farmers. That’s why it’s an area we continue to invest in.
Whether you prefer to buy our SO Organic milk, all of which meets the required standard for free range, or our by Sainsbury’s milk, whichmeets our additional health and welfare standards, you can be sure the cows that produced it have been well cared for.
How we support our farmers
We’ve been working with the same group of dairy farmers since 2007. There’s over 260 of them and together, they make up the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group (SDDG).
The group was set up to provide more support to farmers and through it, we made several commitments. This included continuing to pay our dairy farmers a fair price for their milk and supporting them on matters relating to animal welfare, ensuring they can maintain the high standards our customers expect.
Why all our famers want happy cows
One of the many benefits we’ve seen since the SDDG was set up, is healthier cows. Healthy herds produce more milk and our farmers’ cows now produce, on average, an extra 1000 litres of milk each year.
The vast majority of our farmers’ cows graze whenever the weather permits. In fact, around two thirds of our cows graze for more than six months of the year. This means our customers buy over 250million litres of milk each year that meets the free range standard.
All of our SO Organic milk is produced by cows that graze during the grass growing months of the year, weather permitting. And because this is for a minimum of six months, our organic milk exceeds the standard required for free range status.
FAQs
Happy cows live in the finest possible circ*mstances, with plenty of room to wander. A good and perfect environment helps them be stress-free and this makes them more healthier than any other category of cows. They are healthy and content, which leads to a long and happy life.
What is the happy cow theory? ›
Happy cow messages are instances of commercial speech by the animal industry which, by action or by omission, mislead consumers about the harmful effects that the industry has for nonhuman animals, the environment, or human health. Despite their ubiquity, happy cow messages have received little philosophical scrutiny.
How can you tell if cows are happy? ›
Positive behavioural signs we look for in cows to know that they are feeling well include:
- Cud chewing and rumination (check out this video to learn more)
- Walking freely.
- Interacting socially.
- Grazing and eating well.
- Bright eyes, clean and shiny coat and wet shiny nose.
You may never have seen a bovine beaming from ear to ear. But rest assured, your cows have feelings. And those feelings can have a big impact on milk production. Numerous research suggests that happy cows produce more of the white stuff.
What is the meaning of happy cow? ›
HappyCow is a mobile app and website that lists vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and also a passionate community of over one million vegan-focused members.
What does cows mean in slang? ›
Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptible woman, especially one who is fat, stupid, lazy, etc. a woman who has a large number of children or is frequently pregnant.
What makes a HappyCow? ›
Cows are always happiest simply doing what cows do best: eating grass and napping in the sun. Make sure your cows have adequate pasture. This is one area where bigger is always better: the more land you have, the less likely it is to become overgrazed.
How long do happy cows live? ›
While the natural lifespan of a cow is 15-20 years, the dairy industry rarely allows cows to live past age five. They're sent to slaughter soon after their production levels drop.
Can cows feel happiness? ›
Yes! Even though we can't ask cows how they're feeling, research has shown that cows have complex emotional lives. They don't just experience the two basic emotions—stress and contentment—they experience a full spectrum of complex emotions, including excitement, love, sadness, and fear.
What does it mean if a cow licks you? ›
Social licking is widespread behaviour among cows and is related to social affinity and bonding, in a way that is analogous with human friendships.
Is the cow OK with all this hugging? Cows are pretty big animals, sometimes weighing thousands of pounds, so if they don't like the idea or they're feeling a little hugged-out at the moment, they could probably hurt you with a kick.
Do cows like being milked? ›
Individual cows may find milking either positively or negatively reinforcing, but overall, the motivation to be milked is weak. Food is significantly more rewarding than milking and likely to be a necessary incentive to attract cows to an AMS.
Do cows feel pleasure when milked? ›
The milking process should be calm and comfortable for the cow and the technician. The cow should feel a release of udder pressure, and that should be a positive experience.
Do cows moo when they want to be milked? ›
Cows are often milked at regular intervals. If the farmer skips on their schedule, the cows may moo, indicating that they're distressed or uncomfortable and need to be milked.
Why do cows like brushes? ›
Although the reasons for this increase is unclear, there are some logical assumptions. Cows LOVE BRUSHES! They want to get up and relieve tension by getting a massage from their brush and go grab a bite to eat at the same time. Brushes leave cows feeling refreshed, and their coats clean and shiny.
What makes a happy cow? ›
Cows are always happiest simply doing what cows do best: eating grass and napping in the sun. Make sure your cows have adequate pasture. This is one area where bigger is always better: the more land you have, the less likely it is to become overgrazed.
Why is the cow called happy? ›
A baby cow of the Holstein-Friesian breed is now affectionately known as "Happy" by people because it has a smiley face marked on its back. According to ABC News, "Happy" was born at a stud farm in Ripplebrook, West Gippsland, earlier this week.
What do you call a group of happy cows? ›
Different species have different words for groups of animals. Cows & horses have herds, sheep have flocks, bees & ants have colonies, geese have a gaggle, etc.
What is the slogan for happy cows? ›
The tagline "Great cheese comes from Happy Cows.
