Bushra Griffith
Tillamook is a popular cheese, butter, and ice cream brand that has been around for over 100 years. The company claims to be committed to making the highest-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible, but it has faced criticism for the treatment of its cows. Tillamook's promotional materials often depict cows on pasture, but a lawsuit filed in 2019 claimed that the company misleads consumers into believing that its milk comes from cows grazing on coastal pastures. In reality, most of Tillamook's milk is sourced from large-scale factory farms, where cows are kept on concrete and fed grain. While Tillamook's products are not organic and the company does not claim that its cows are grass-fed, the company asserts that its milk exceeds state and federal quality standards and that its cows are not treated with artificial growth hormones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grass-fed cows | Partly |
| Source of milk | Local farms in Tillamook County, Oregon, and Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, Oregon |
| Feedlots | Concrete and dirt |
| Pasture | Only when weather permits (typically March through November) |
| Barns | Free-stall barns with daylight, fresh air, space to eat and exercise, and clean, dry bedding |
| Diet | Grass, alfalfa, corn silage, corn, barley, and vitamin/mineral supplements |
| Artificial growth hormones | Not used |
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What You'll Learn
Tillamook cows are fed grass, alfalfa, corn silage, and grains
The diet of Tillamook cows is carefully planned by an animal nutritionist at each farm to ensure it meets their specific requirements for health and milk production. This customised diet of forages and grains plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the cows, which, in turn, contributes to the quality of the milk they produce.
While Tillamook promotes its products as being sourced from cows grazing in lush, coastal pastures, the reality is more nuanced. In 2019, a lawsuit was filed against the company, alleging that its advertising misled consumers into believing that its dairy products came predominantly from pasture-raised cows. In truth, a significant proportion of Tillamook's milk is sourced from large-scale factory farms, where cows are kept on concrete and dirt feedlots rather than green pastures.
It is worth noting that Tillamook does source milk from various farms, and some of these farms do allow their herds to graze in pastures during favourable weather conditions. However, practices vary depending on the farm's herd, land, and management style. The use of free-stall barns, which provide cows with access to daylight, fresh air, ample space, and clean bedding, is also prevalent among Tillamook's suppliers.
Despite the variation in housing and grazing practices, Tillamook asserts that its products are made without the use of artificial growth hormones and that the milk used exceeds state and federal quality standards. While the company does not currently offer certified organic products, it expresses a commitment to producing high-quality dairy goods in the most natural way possible.
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Tillamook cows are kept in concrete and dirt feedlots
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), a legal advocacy organization for animals, filed the suit on behalf of Oregon consumers. The lawsuit states that Tillamook intentionally contributes to confusion about the source of its dairy products by extensively advertising that they are sourced from humane, pasture-based farms. However, in reality, Tillamook sources up to 80% of its milk from the largest dairy feedlot in the United States, which is located in eastern Oregon and keeps 32,000 dairy cows.
Tillamook has also been criticized for partnering with Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, a factory farm that produces around 2 million pounds of milk per day from 30,000 milk cows kept in confined barns. These cows are fed on grain, and their milk is used to make Tillamook's famous cheese. In addition to the confined living conditions, the cows are forcibly impregnated repeatedly and have their calves immediately taken away from them, leading to stressful and unnatural lives.
While Tillamook does not offer certified organic products, they claim to be committed to making high-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible. They state that their milk comes from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones and that their farmers prioritize the health and well-being of their cows. Some Tillamook farmer-owners do send their herds out to pasture when the weather permits and use free-stall barns to keep their cows comfortable and protected, with access to daylight, fresh air, space to exercise, and clean, dry bedding. However, the lawsuit against Tillamook highlights the discrepancy between the company's advertising and the actual living conditions of the cows providing their milk.
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Tillamook cows are not treated with artificial growth hormones
Tillamook's dairy products, including cheese, are made with milk from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones. The company's farmers pledge not to use artificial growth hormones, and the milk used exceeds state and federal quality standards.
While Tillamook does not offer certified organic products, it is committed to making high-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible. The company's farmers understand that healthy cows produce the best quality milk, and they work with animal nutritionists to ensure their cows receive a healthy diet of forages and grains, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.
However, there have been lawsuits and criticism against Tillamook claiming that its advertising misleads consumers into believing that its milk comes from cows grazing in coastal pastures. In reality, most of the milk used in its products comes from cows fed on grain and kept on concrete and dirt feedlots in factory farms in Eastern Oregon. Specifically, Tillamook has been accused of sourcing up to 80% of its milk from the largest dairy feedlot in the United States, which houses 32,000 dairy cows.
In response to the criticism, Tillamook defended itself by claiming that it is a farmer-owned and farmer-led cooperative that only works with business partners that share its values and meet its high standards. The company also stated that it is committed to sustainability and that its large-scale operations allow it to be more sustainable in terms of its environmental impact.
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Tillamook cows are kept cool in summer and warm in winter
Tillamook cows are kept cool in the summer and comfortable in the winter. In hot weather, cows are at risk of heat stress, which can cause lasting effects such as early embryonic loss in heifers and cows, poor semen quality in bulls, and reduced gains in feeder cattle. To prevent this, Tillamook cows are given access to shade and water, and farmers make minor changes to management strategies to reduce the risk of heat stress.
Tillamook cows are kept in free-stall barns, which are standard in the dairy industry to accommodate climate conditions. In these barns, cows get daylight and fresh air, have plenty of space to eat and exercise, and they sleep on clean, dry bedding. To keep cows cool, farmers may also provide soakers (sprinklers) and blowing fans, which cause evaporative cooling.
In the winter, cows are given extra rations to keep their bellies full and provide enough energy to stay warm. Their hair grows longer and thicker, creating a natural insulator that protects them from the cold. Cows also have the option to come inside and rest on warm bedding if the weather gets too harsh.
While Tillamook cows are kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter, there is some controversy surrounding the conditions in which they are kept. Some sources claim that Tillamook cheese comes from cows kept in concrete and dirt feedlots, rather than green pastures. However, others argue that the cows are kept on local farms, and that Tillamook operates its facilities responsibly and ethically.
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Tillamook cows are kept in free-stall barns
The use of free-stall barns by Tillamook farmers is a common practice to ensure the comfort and protection of their cows. These barns provide cows with access to natural elements while being sheltered from harsh weather conditions. Free-stall barns are designed to meet the needs of dairy cows, offering them a comfortable and spacious environment.
While Tillamook does source milk from local farms, they also rely on larger dairy operations to meet the high demand for their products. One such operation is Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, which is the largest dairy feedlot in the United States. This facility keeps 32,000 dairy cows and provides a significant portion of the milk used in Tillamook's products.
The cows at Threemile Canyon Farms are kept indoors and are fed a diet that includes grass, alfalfa, and corn silage, along with a mixture of grains and vitamin/mineral supplements. While they may not have access to open pastures, these cows are still provided with adequate space, nutrition, and care to maintain their health and well-being.
In conclusion, while the image of cows grazing in green pastures may be appealing, the reality of modern dairy farming often involves the use of free-stall barns and large-scale feedlots. Tillamook cows are kept in conditions that prioritise their health and comfort, ensuring the consistent production of high-quality milk for cheese and other dairy products.
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Frequently asked questions
Tillamook cheese is made from a combination of milk sources. While some of the milk does come from cows that graze on pastures, the majority of the milk used comes from cows that are kept on concrete and fed grain.
No, Tillamook dairy products are made with milk from cows not treated with rBST. All farmers who supply milk for Tillamook products pledge not to use artificial growth hormones.
According to the FDA, no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows.
