Organic Valley Pasture-Raised vs. Grass-Fed: What Is the Difference?

December 18, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Organic Valley, their pasture-raised cows graze on certified organic pastures but may receive supplemental grain rations, while their 100% grass-fed animals only eat fresh pasture and dried forages, with no grain ever. Understanding this key distinction is crucial for consumers when choosing between Organic Valley pasture-raised and grass-fed products.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the distinct standards separating Organic Valley's pasture-raised products from their grass-fed line, detailing differences in diet, grazing time, and nutritional profiles.

Key Points

Pasture-Raised vs. Grass-Fed: Organic Valley's pasture-raised cows receive supplemental grain, while their 100% grass-fed cows (Grassmilk®) eat only grass and forages.
Dietary Distinction: The core difference is the cow's diet; one is supplemented with organic grains, and the other is strictly grain-free.
Lifestyle Standards: Both products ensure cows have extensive access to organic pastures, with Organic Valley exceeding USDA grazing minimums.
Nutritional Variation: The 100% grass-fed milk may offer a higher concentration of certain nutrients, like beneficial omega-3s.
Consumer Choice: Your preference for a no-grain diet versus a pasture-based lifestyle with grain supplementation will guide your decision.
Shared Organic Foundation: Both pasture-raised and grass-fed products from Organic Valley are certified organic, meaning no GMOs, antibiotics, or synthetic hormones are used.

Understanding Organic Valley's Labeling

For consumers, navigating the labels on organic food can be confusing. The terms 'pasture-raised' and 'grass-fed' are often used interchangeably, but at Organic Valley, they represent distinct farming protocols and dietary standards for their dairy cows. Understanding what each label means for Organic Valley's products allows you to make a more informed choice based on your specific dietary preferences and values. The primary difference lies in the cow's diet: pasture-raised cows are fed a supplemented grain ration, while grass-fed cows are never given grain.

The Pasture-Raised Standard

Organic Valley's pasture-raised standard focuses on the lifestyle of the cows. The key component is that the cows must have access to certified organic pasture whenever weather permits. This means they spend significant time outdoors, grazing on fresh grass, basking in the sun, and enjoying a more natural bovine life. The standard exceeds the USDA's organic requirements for grazing time, with Organic Valley's cows often exceeding 191 days on pasture compared to the 120-day USDA minimum. However, this standard does permit the use of supplemental grain rations, particularly during non-grazing seasons or to supplement their diet. The grain provided is always organic, non-GMO corn or soy, maintaining the overall organic integrity of the product.

Key features of Organic Valley's pasture-raised dairy:

Cows spend as much time as possible grazing on organic pastures.
Exceeds USDA organic minimums for grazing days.
Cows receive a supplemental ration of organic grain.
Focuses on animal welfare and a natural living environment.

The Grass-Fed Standard (Grassmilk®)

Organic Valley's grass-fed products, labeled as Grassmilk®, adhere to a stricter dietary protocol. The standard, called Certified Grass-Fed Organic, dictates that the cows' diet consists of 100% organic grass and dried forages, such as hay. Critically, they are never fed grain or soybeans. This mirrors the cow's natural ruminant diet and can result in milk with a different nutritional profile. While the cows' diet is the main distinction, they also enjoy a pasture-based lifestyle, with plenty of outdoor time.

Key features of Organic Valley's grass-fed (Grassmilk®) dairy:

Cows eat a diet of 100% organic grass and dried forages.
Absolutely no grain or soybeans are fed.
Also have extensive access to pasture, exceeding organic standards.
Milk can have higher levels of beneficial nutrients like omega-3s.

Comparison Table: Pasture-Raised vs. Grass-Fed


Feature	Organic Valley Pasture-Raised	Organic Valley Grass-Fed (Grassmilk®)
Diet	Organic grass and forages plus supplemental organic grain rations.	100% organic grass and forages; absolutely no grain ever.
Grazing Access	Extensive time on pasture whenever weather permits, exceeding 120 USDA days.	Extensive time on pasture, as required by the 100% grass-fed certification.
Supplemental Feed	Yes, receives organic grains.	No, never receives grain.
Nutritional Profile	Very high quality, but influenced by grain supplementation.	Known for higher levels of beneficial nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.
Certification	Meets or exceeds USDA Organic and pasture requirements.	Certified Grass-Fed Organic, a stricter standard beyond USDA Organic.

Making the Right Choice for You

Your choice between Organic Valley's pasture-raised and grass-fed products ultimately depends on your priorities as a consumer. If a cow's natural, no-grain diet is your most important factor, then the Grassmilk® line is the clear choice. This product aligns with the philosophy that cows are designed to eat only grass, which can lead to a richer nutritional profile in the milk.

If your primary concern is animal welfare and ensuring cows live a natural life on pasture, the standard pasture-raised products also meet high standards. While grain is supplemented, the cows still spend most of their time outdoors, grazing on organic pastures. This provides a balance of a natural lifestyle with a potentially more accessible product.

It's important to remember that both standards are built on a foundation of organic principles, meaning no antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or GMOs are used. No matter which you choose, you are supporting farming practices that are far more humane and environmentally conscious than conventional dairy operations.

Conclusion

The difference between Organic Valley pasture-raised and grass-fed dairy is straightforward: it comes down to grain. Pasture-raised cows have access to organic pastures but receive grain supplements, while grass-fed (Grassmilk®) cows eat only 100% grass and forages. Both options represent a significant step up from conventional dairy in terms of animal welfare and organic standards, but the grass-fed line adheres to a more restrictive, all-forage diet. By understanding this difference, consumers can select the product that best matches their dietary and ethical preferences. For more information directly from the source, consider visiting the Organic Valley blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the cow's diet. Pasture-raised cows receive a supplemental grain ration in addition to grazing on pasture, whereas 100% grass-fed cows, used for Grassmilk®, are never fed grain.

No, for Organic Valley, "pasture-raised" means the cows have access to certified organic pasture but may receive supplemental organic grain rations, especially during seasons when fresh pasture is unavailable.

Yes, Organic Valley's Grassmilk® cows are both 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised. They exclusively eat grass and forages while also enjoying an outdoor, pasture-based life.

The supplemental grain provided to Organic Valley's pasture-raised cows is certified organic and free of GMOs. It typically consists of organic corn and soy.

Both standards focus on animal welfare and provide significant outdoor access, which is more humane than conventional confinement operations. The Grassmilk® program is a stricter standard regarding diet, aligning more closely with a cow's natural eating habits.

Yes, milk from 100% grass-fed cows is often higher in certain beneficial nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, compared to milk from cows that have a supplemented diet.

The term "grass-fed" can vary depending on the farm's practices, but Organic Valley's Grassmilk® has a Certified Grass-Fed Organic label, indicating a third-party verified standard that is stricter than the general use of the term.