Brands that rate highest have a close relationship to their milk suppliers. Those that buy milk from industrial or unknown organic suppliers rate lowest.

Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in the organic systems that benefit us all.

Pasture management refers to how outdoor areas are managed, with top-rated brands utilizing multiple strategies to maintain high quality pasture, providing environmental and animal welfare benefits.

The grass-fed percentage category reflects diet, with top-rated brands far exceeding the minimum requirements laid out in the organic pasture rule.

This category focuses on the sourcing of feed, supplements, and any added ingredients in the diet. The category also accounts for brands that source organic dairy from other operations. Top-rated brands produce all feed on farm or buy inputs locally.

Industry standard is to immediately remove calves from their mothers and individually house them. High scores in this area show that brand suppliers use group housing or otherwise promote calf socialization.

High scoring brands milk only once or twice per day, allowing maximum time for cows to be outside exhibiting natural behaviors.

Lower cull and death rates receive more points (with some exceptions), as it is one indicator of high animal welfare.

Brands that closely monitor environmental factors, including soil and water quality, native species, and wildlife, receive the most points. Brands with specific policies and programs to boost environmental sustainability also receive high points.

Brands with specific policies and practices to support animal welfare score best. Brands may lose points in this category if they have a history of animal welfare concerns.

This category is non-scoring and provided for information.

Third-party labels carried by individual brands or product lines are listed here for more information. These are not scored, but some third-party labels may receive extra credit.

Herd size refers to the number of adult cows in the milking herd. The general denotation for herd size (large, medium, and small) is based on the legal definition of “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation”.

Brands may receive extra credit for practices and polices not reflected in the scorecard (see notes for details).

The adjustment section is where any notes and adjustments to the score are indicated, such as penalties for non-compliances.