One of the many reasons why Julia , our Marketing Manager, was excited to work with Organic Baby Formula Shop is that all of our baby formulas are produced under strict animal welfare standards.
Although Julia follows a vegan lifestyle, she would never recommend feeding a baby formula based entirely on soy or other plant-based alternatives. These formulas often lack important nutrients babies need for healthy development.
She was happy to discover that brands like Lebenswert, Holle, and HiPP place strong emphasis on animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
Most of us have seen the “cage-free” label on eggs and assume it means animals are treated better. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While we like to imagine animals grazing freely on open green fields, the reality on many industrial farms can be very different.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between conventional farming, organic farming, and biodynamic (Demeter) farming.
Regular Farming
In conventional farming, there are often fewer restrictions on the use of pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Animals raised on these farms may not have access to pasture and are often fed substitutes such as corn or processed feed.
This type of diet is not natural for cows and can affect their health. In some cases, cows develop infections or health problems due to intensive milking practices. Antibiotics and hormones may then be used to maintain production.
These practices can negatively impact both animal welfare and the quality of the milk produced.
Organic Farming
Organic farming is a major step forward compared to conventional farming, but not all organic standards are the same worldwide.
In the United States, certain practices are still allowed that would not meet organic certification requirements in Europe.
However, both US and European organic farming standards generally include the following requirements:
- Mandatory outdoor access for cows.
- No use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Cows must graze on pasture for at least 120 days per year.
- At least 30% of their diet must come from pasture grass.
- Animals must be fed certified organic feed.
- Cows must live in an organic environment for at least 12 months before their milk can be labeled organic.
While these standards represent a significant improvement over conventional farming, there is still room for further improvement.
What Is Demeter Farming?
Biodynamic agriculture takes organic farming even further. In Europe, this approach is known as biodynamic or Demeter farming.
Demeter-certified farms follow extremely strict standards that focus not only on organic production but also on soil health, animal well-being, and environmental sustainability.
You can learn more about these standards in our article about Demeter farming .
Fun fact: The name “Demeter” comes from the Greek goddess of grain and fertility.
How Demeter Farming Improves Animal Welfare
Both organic and Demeter farms are required to treat animals humanely. However, Demeter standards are significantly stricter.
For example, cows on Demeter farms are not dehorned. Horns are believed to play an important role in a cow’s metabolism and natural behavior.
On many organic farms, dehorning is still allowed. This procedure can be painful for cows and may negatively affect their overall well-being.
Demeter farms also emphasize natural feeding practices and carefully managed pasture systems. The result is healthier animals and high-quality milk rich in nutrients such as vitamin E and beta-carotene.
Why This Matters for Baby Formula
When you choose baby formulas produced under Demeter or biodynamic standards, you are supporting farming practices that prioritize animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and high-quality nutrition.
By feeding your baby formulas from brands such as Holle, HiPP, or Lebenswert, you are not only giving your child excellent nutrition—you are also supporting responsible farming practices that benefit animals, the environment, and future generations.