Farm Animal Welfare

Dairy Cow Pasture Access and Welfare

Pasture access for dairy cows provides significant welfare benefits that cows are strongly motivated to access even in adverse weather conditions.

Key Facts

Dairy cows show consistent preference for pasture access even in poor weather when given a choice
Pasture-based cows have lower lameness prevalence and longer productive lives
Time at pasture is limited by milking frequency and herd size in many modern dairy systems
Dairy certification schemes increasingly require minimum days at pasture
UK voluntary schemes including RSPCA Assured require access to pasture for dairy cows

Welfare Considerations

Cows are strongly motivated to access pasture, exhibiting goal-directed behaviour to achieve outdoor access. This preference reflects genuine welfare value that pasture provides beyond nutrition, making pasture access a fundamental welfare requirement for dairy cows wherever climate and management allow.

What You Can Do

Choose dairy products certified to require pasture access for cows
Support mandatory minimum pasture access requirements in dairy welfare legislation
Engage with dairy retailers about their pasture access requirements in supply chains