Many non-organic, intensive farms use antibiotics to prevent possible infection, which can damage productivity. There is growing evidence that the routine use of antibiotics is linked to emergence of superbugs in animals, with potential long term unknown consequences for humans. For this reason, we never routinely use antibiotics on our farms.
Organic farming doesn’t go in for quick fixes and we don’t agree with treating animals with antibiotics unless they actually need them – just like humans. Instead, we make sure we have the right breed of cows with a stronger, more-resilient immune system to tackle infection and disease, and, where possible, explore the use of alternative medicines, such as homeopathy.
If our cows do get ill, their welfare and wellbeing are our top priority, and – although we aim to stay away from antibiotics – we will use them when it is absolutely necessary. We would never compromise the welfare of our animals.
If we do treat a cow with an antibiotic, she is milked separately and we test her milk to ensure all traces of the medicine have gone before we bring her back into the herd. Organic regulations require us to keep the cow’s milk out of the supply chain two or three times longer than non-organic rules, to guarantee the milk is free of antibiotics.
HOW WE MAKE MILK