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 | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1600) | 880 | 3-Cow Rating | Very Good |
 Farmstead dairies who live on-site (or work their own dairy daily) receive top points for this category. No transparency and/or no answer receive no points. Ownership structure | 80 | Family owned buisness |
| Farmstead dairies and well-managed cooperatives with only their own patrons get top points in this category. Fewer points go to brands that have less control over their milk supply. Milk Supply | 50 | No answer but previous answer shows source milk with mixed past |
| Brands that do not also market any conventional products receive top points in this category. Brands that are less dedicated to organics receive fewer points. Organic Production | 50 | Mixed conventional and organic; unknown if on same property or not |
| The best transparency toward Cornucopia investigators is rewarded by full points. Disclosure of Information for Verification | 0 | No response, lack of transparency despite previous participation |
| If a top-rated organic certifier certifies this brand they receive full points. Certifiers with questionable practices receive fewer points. Organic Certification | 75 | Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) |
| If this brand has other third-party labels, particularly animal-welfare labels, that will provide them extra points in this category depending on the particular label and its standards. Other Labels/Standards | 0 | No answer |
| 100% Grass-fed with independent verification or independent standards to ensure compliance will receive full points in this category. Other points are attributed to how much forage composes the dairy cows’ diets. Grass-fed | 40 | No answer - likely meets minimum standards for grazing. |
| No point value – this information is offered for buyers interested in milk from cows without soy in their diets. Soy Free Ration? | No answer. Soy is likely used in feed. | |
| Rating based on (a) policies of brand, (b) enforcement/oversight (c) acreage available per cow, (d) average days on pasture (e) investigative actions. Pasture | 40 | Likely meets minimum organic standards for pasture |
| Where cows are milked one to two times per day they receive top points. It's standard organic protocol to milk two times a day. Dairies that milk three-to-four times a day is one indicator of factory-organics. Times Milked | 90 | Two times a day (standard protocol on legitimate organic dairies) |
| A cull and/or death rate under 10% annually receives full points. Cull/death Rate | 90 | Old answer shows low cull rate |
| Closed herd (meaning the brand raises all their replacement cattle) receives full points. If conventional animals are purchased, the brand receives fewer points. Replacements | 75 | No answer; minority of organic animals purchased are conventional |
| If this brand has a unique way of managing calves they receive more points. If they remove the calf shortly after birth (the standard practice) they receive 70 points. Calves | 0 | No answer |
| When the brand prohibits all antibiotic use they receive full points. No answer receives no points. Antibiotic Use | 50 | Antibiotics may be occasionally used on young cattle |
| When no hormones are used on farm(s) this brand receives full points. When the brand uses hormones therapeutically post-birth the brand receives 50 points. Hormone Usage | 100 | None according to previous answers |
| Farmstead dairies (lives on site) get full points and cooperative/corporations that set standards and have staff that visit the supplying dairies also receive top points. No direct supervision and/or personal relationship with farm(s) gets low or no points. Farm Support | 50 | Old answer shows all dairies are visited occasionally by staff |
| Full control of any added ingredients (100% come from within organization) receives top points. Dairy ingredients purchased from a number of different vendors (with less direct control) receives fewer points in this category. Procurement of Ingredients | 90 | Previously no outside ingredients |
| Several questions were asked in addition to the original survey questions that would ultimately give producers “extra credit” points. Look for details in individual brand explanations. Extra Credit | 0 | None |