The article highlights the significant economic advantages of this system. By allowing cows to graze, farmers can drastically cut costs on feed, labor, and veterinary care. This increased efficiency and reduced overhead directly contribute to a more profitable business model. Furthermore, the milk from these grass-fed cows is sold as organic, which commands a premium price in a market that, while still small, is experiencing steady and significant growth.

Beyond the financial benefits, the dairy economics of this approach also have major health and environmental payoffs. Milk from grass-fed cows is known to contain higher levels of beneficial fatty acids. Environmentally, pasture-based dairies reduce the carbon footprint by minimizing the use of heavy machinery. The cows’ grazing habits also contribute to healthier soil, help mitigate freshwater pollution, and even create habitats for threatened grassland birds, making this a truly sustainable model.

While this approach presents challenges, such as the need for more land and lower individual milk yields per cow, the overall benefits are compelling. The article suggests that returning to a more traditional, pasture-based method leads to better welfare for the animals and a higher quality of life for the farmers. This return to core farming principles is helping to attract the next generation back to the industry, as seen with Megan Paris, who finds this model more appealing than conventional methods.