High Meadow (Aurora Organic Dairy)

Rating
Products	Fluid Milk
Website	https://www.auroraorganic.com/
Market Area	National
Total Score	50

Aurora Organic Dairy is an industrialized organic milk producer that primarily produces organic milk for store brands as wholesaler. Many widely-available store brands nationally use milk from this producer. Aurora’s own products are also directly sold under the High Meadow brand (see the High Meadow entry for more information).

Aurora Organic Dairy has been suspected of organic fraud a number of times. The Cornucopia Institute has filed several complaints over the years with USDA National Organic Program concerning Aurora’s activities.

More about The Cornucopia’s Work surrounding this dairy can be found on a pending research page.

Rubric	Points	Comments and Notes
TOTAL (possible score is 1100 (plus extra credit))	50	1-Cow Rating | Poor
Transparency and Disclosure	0	Did not participate and a history of non-compliance
Brands that rate highest have a close relationship to their milk suppliers. Those that buy milk from industrial or unknown organic suppliers rate lowest. Milk Supply and Ownership Structure	0	Mostly produces milk supply on industrial-scale dairies and may buy milk on open market
Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in the organic systems that benefit us all. Commitment to Organic Label	50	Produces only organic products
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. Pasture Management	0	Unknown if meeting minimum standards
The grass-fed percentage category reflects diet, with top-rated brands far exceeding the minimum requirements laid out in the organic pasture rule. Grass Fed Percentage	0	Unknown if meeting minimum standards
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. Supplemental Feed and Ingredients	0	Unknown
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. Calves	0	Removed at birth, likely single-calf hutches
High scoring brands milk only once or twice per day, allowing maximum time for cows to be outside exhibiting natural behaviors. Times Milked Per Day	0	Unknown
Lower cull and death rates receive more points (with some exceptions), as it is one indicator of high animal welfare. Deaths & Culls	0	Unknown
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. Environmental Impacts and Stewardship	0	Unknown
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. Animal Welfare	0	Unknown
This category is non-scoring and provided for information. Organic Certifier (Informational)		See packaging for handling certifier
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. Add On Labels (Informational)		See packaging
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”. Herd Size(s) (Informational)		Large
Brands may receive extra credit for practices and polices not reflected in the scorecard (see notes for details). Extra Credit		None
The adjustment section is where any notes and adjustments to the score are indicated, such as penalties for non-compliances. Adjustments & Notes		None