The highest level of animal welfare
thanks to suckler cow husbandry and pasture grazing
Growing up naturally, moving around at will and the freedom of pasture grazing – suckler cow husbandry is synonymous with species-appropriate living conditions and the highest level of animal welfare.
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Foto: Ulrich Steiner -
Foto: Ulrich Steiner -
Foto: Daniela Hunger -
Foto: Ulrich Steiner
The highest level of animal welfare thanks to suckler cow husbandry and pasture grazing
In suckler cow husbandry, the calf grows up with its mother in the herd – it’s as natural as can be. The calf drinks its mother’s milk. The animals are free to move around and can graze every day from spring to autumn. In winter, they also benefit from daily visits to the exercise yard. Most suckler cow herds have a bull – the father of the calves.
Motherly love in the herd
In suckler cow husbandry, the calves grow up with their mothers in a herd. There is often a bull, too. The cow’s mother regularly licks her calf, thereby building a bond. The calves frolic together. What makes the Natura-Beef and Natura-Veal labels unique is that the calves and their mothers are always kept together.
Healthy calves thanks to mother’s milk
Every calf grows up with its mother and drinks her milk, which provides it with important vitamins and helps build their immune systems at the start of their life. Exercise in the stable and in the pasture along with fresh air also help to strengthen their immune systems. Thanks to this species-appropriate form of husbandry, the use of medication, especially antibiotics, is rarely necessary.
Suckler cows eat grass and hay
Suckler cows and their young mainly eat grass and hay. As ruminants, they can consume grass and hay (unlike humans) thanks to their unique digestive systems. This is how grass and hay play a key role in the production of milk and meat, two valuable foodstuffs.
In total, 96% of the feed for suckler cow herds consists of grass, hay and grass silage. The rest is made up of maize silage and other basic fodder such as straw. Only around 1% are comprised of grain blends.
Outdoors in all weathers
Suckler cow husbandry is considered the most natural form of cattle farming. Suckler cows and their calves benefit from daily exercise in the pasture. In winter, they enjoy plenty of space and fresh air in the exercise yard.
Around 30% of suckler cow herds in Switzerland spend the summer in alpine pastures, which contributes to the preservation of biodiversity in the Alpine region.
100% Swiss
Animals bearing the Natura-Beef and Natura-Veal labels are born and raised in Switzerland.
Longevity
leads to resource efficiency
Healthy suckler cows have long lives and give birth to many strong calves over the years. They make optimal use of milk and grass, which contributes to the efficient use of natural resources.
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Foto: Franziska Schawalder -
Foto: Larissa Dubach -
Foto: Ulrich Steiner -
Foto: Daniela Hunger