Alpenrose
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Portland, OR |
| Products | Fluid milk |
| Website | alpenrose.com |
| Market Area | OR, WA |
| Total Score | 880 |
In the previous iteration of the organic dairy survey and scorecard this brand rated 4 cows. Unfortunately, they have failed to update some of their information needed for this more comprehensive survey and scorecard. Since we were unable to confirm some of the information on the scorecard this brand has been downgraded by one whole classification. Where possible, this brand’s old scores were substituted into the new rubric to represent this change.
In dairy, we now see about half of the organic milk supply coming from factory dairies milking their cows three to four times a day pushing for high production (legitimate organic farms usually milk once or twice a day). Cornucopia’s research also shows many of these dairies are still not providing the required amount of grazing for each cow as the law requires. While some excellent dairy marketers may feel they don’t need to participate because they already have a good relationship with their consumers, their lack of participation aids and abets factory farms and hurts ethical dairies across the country (many of whom do not have the option to directly market to consumers and need to rely on the wholesale marketplace).
Participation in this survey and scorecard separates the organic label between those brands that are “beyond organic,” others at least meeting the legal standards and those that are ethically deficient. In an industry where industrial dairies do have something to hide, the lack of transparency in brands that might otherwise score well hurts the integrity of the organic label.
If you’re a customer of this brand, and you trust their practices and products, your voice may have some sway in the marketplace. Please use your power as a concerned consumer to ask your favorite brand to stand up for organic integrity by participating in The Cornucopia Institute’s research study and scorecard.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) | 880 | 3-Cow Rating | Unverified |
| Ownership structure | 80 | Family owned buisness |
| Milk Supply | 50 | No answer but previous answer shows source milk with mixed past |
| Organic Production | 50 | Mixed conventional and organic; unknown if on same property or not |
| Disclosure of Information for Verification | 0 | No response, lack of transparency despite previous participation |
| Organic Certification | 75 | Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) |
| Other Labels/Standards | 0 | No answer |
| Grass-fed | 40 | No answer - likely meets minimum standards for grazing. |
| Soy Free Ration? | No answer. Soy is likely used in feed. | |
| Pasture | 40 | Likely meets minimum organic standards for pasture |
| Times Milked | 90 | Two times a day (standard protocol on legitimate organic dairies) |
| Cull/death Rate | 90 | Old answer shows low cull rate |
| Replacements | 75 | No answer; minority of organic animals purchased are conventional |
| Calves | 0 | No answer |
| Antibiotic Use | 50 | Antibiotics may be occasionally used on young cattle |
| Hormone Usage | 100 | None according to previous answers |
| Farm Support | 50 | Old answer shows all dairies are visited occasionally by staff |
| Procurement of Ingredients | 90 | Previously no outside ingredients |
| Extra Credit | 0 | None |