10 October 2007

2 minute read

North America

Aurora, a large “organic” dairy located in Colorado and Texas, claims to be the biggest supplier to private-label organic milk suppliers in the country, including Wal-Mart, and as many as 5,000 cows were reported to be milked on one site. The average organic farm milks less than 100 cows, says The Cornucopia Institute, a grassroots producer group, which launched a complaint that that Aurora didn’t allow cows to graze as per organic standards.

While investigating, the United States Department of Agriculture’s found that some cows had been improperly transitioned into the organic herd. In late August, Aurora’s management signed a “consent agreement with the USDA,” then promptly announced that the changes in handling cows were part of its long-term plan anyway. The USDA ordered that “certain animals” must be removed from the herd and “certain milk” must no longer be labelled as “organic.” Cows will be stocked at a rate of no more than five per acre.

Aurora’s press release, dated Aug. 29 and entitled “USDA dismisses complaints against Aurora,” said its plan to tear down barns and replace them with pasture will be “accelerated.” The USDA says the Colorado Department of Agriculture certifies organic farms in that state. Staff that certify organic operations will be increased and better trained to deal with issues of standards.

Further Reading

- Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.