Sassy Cow Creamery

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersColumbus, WI
ProductsFluid milk
Websitewww.sassycowcreamery.com
Market AreaIL, WI
Total Score515

In the summer of 2019, Sassy Cow Creamery was found to be non-compliant with organic regulations concerning pasture compliance (as detailed in this administrative decision and this notice of suspension from 2020).

As of 2021, Cornucopia confirmed that Sassy Cow Creamery has returned to producing organic milk. However, though the dairy is cooperating with their certifier, Cornucopia has been unable to confirm much of this dairies information due to a lack of transparency on the Creamery’s part.

 

 

 

CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) 515
2-Cow Rating | Fair
Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest.
Ownership structure
90Family owned business/family farm
Farms that produce 100% of their milk receive the most points. Milk from "open market" or known confinement dairies receive the fewest.
Milk Supply
50Both organic and conventional milk processed (properties kept separate)
100% organic farms receive the most points. Split operations with conventional dairy on the same property receive the fewest.
Organic Production
50Brand markets conventional and organic; processed in same creamery
Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification
0Poor transparency
Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier.
Organic Certification
100Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA)
Animal Welfare Approved and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic.
Other Labels/Standards
0None
100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards
Grass-fed
0Markets grass-based production
No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy.
Soy Free Ration?
No
Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption.
Pasture
0Record of poor pasture compliance not meeting minimum USDA standards
One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard.
Times Milked
0Two times a day (standard protocol on legitimate organic dairies)
Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points.
Cull/death Rate
0Unknown cull/death rate
Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest.
Replacements
0Unknown
Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves
75Removed shortly after birth (standard practice)
Farms that prohibit antibiotics receive the most points. Farms that allow young stock to receive antibiotics (under one year), receive the fewest.
Antibiotic Use
100No antibiotic use
No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes.
Hormone Usage
50Unknown whether hormones are used therapeutically, but growth hormones are not used
Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines.
Farm Support
0Staff notes they visit farm daily
All ingredients sourced from inside the organization or on the farm receives the highest points. Ingredients from confinement factory farms and/or imported ingredients receive the fewest.
Procurement of Ingredients
0Unknown
Various levels of extra credit given for 1) providing full organic systems plan, 2) providing details on all farms (multi-farm brands, details on largest five required), and 3) sourcing feed on-farm or domestically.
Extra Credit
0None