Dragon’s Den star supports free-range dairy cows

It’s great to discover that “Dragon” Deborah Meaden shares the view of Pasture Promise TV that Britain’s milk should come from cows grazing fresh pasture. Though some in the dairy industry want cows kept in sheds for much of the year, our view is they should be outside on the feed evolution adapted them for – fresh, green grass, preferably with clovers and herbs. We believe cows on pasture produce healthier milk, a better environment, and better returns for farmers.

Now we discover that Dragon’s Den star and businesswoman Deborah Meaden agrees with us. Writing in Farmers’ Weekly she says: “Grazed grass remains the cheapest feed available for most UK dairy herds. This creates the potential for farmers to make a higher return from dairy cows that give less milk, but deliver profit in other ways…

“…We must lose the idea that mega-dairies mean more milk and therefore more profit. Consider instead the profit lines from animals that live longer, with fewer health issues.”

Well said, Deborah. She might also have mentioned that the milk of pasture-fed cows is full of health-protecting nutrients; that gazed pastures capture carbon and help mitigate climate change; that pasture-based systems retain more of the countryside’s wealth in local communities. But we’ll settle for the business case for pasture – made by a real business expert.

Earlier the Dragon’s Den star supported the “Not in my Cuppa” campaign against mega-dairies. She urged farmers to turn for support to groups like the World Society for the Protection of Animals that sponsored the campaign.

Click on the link for farmers’ views on why it makes sense to keep cows grazing:

http://www.pasturepromise.tv/video.php?videoid=34&section=Farming