Sustainability
and animal
well-being
Good Values Right from
the Start
As stewards of the land, our farmers pride themselves in not only
producing delicious
dairy products, but doing so in a way that ensures the utmost care for our environment and the animals
within it. We are committed to a cleaner planet, stronger communities, and a brighter future for families
through food science innovation, modern technology, and rigorous standards for animal well-being and
sustainable farming.
We are proud to have adopted the
U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment
and we are honored to be part of the
Dairy Sustainability Alliance
and the
WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable
Advancing
Sustainability
Conscious of their carbon footprints, our farms are advancing sustainable farming methods and practices. They are dedicated to recycling, reducing water usage, improving soil quality through crop diversity and rotation, and implementing green energy practices—including utilizing hydro, solar, and wind power.
-
100%
All of our member farms participate in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care Program.
-
86%
So far, 1/3 of our farms have particpated in the FARM Environmental Stewardship evaluation. Of these 86% practice crop rotation.
-
67%
Upstate's corrugated packaging contains over 67% post-consumer and 4% pre-consumer recycled material.
Our
Science-Based,
future-proof action plan
Reducing Food Waste
Cows eat byproducts that humans can't consume, turning what would otherwise be waste into wholesome nutrition for us. Without cows, that waste would go to landfills.
Cutting our Carbon Footprint
We use advanced tools to monitor and measure greenhouse gas emissions.
Mitigating Climate Change
Several of our Cooperative farms have methane digesters, which turn cow manure into renewable energy.
Demonstrating the highest animal well-being standards
At Upstate Niagara, we're raising the bar for dairy animal welfare. Our farmer-owners make each animal, and their well-being, a priority— keeping their cows well fed, comfortable, rested, and healthy—which means they produce the most natural, wholesome milk possible.
Ensuring Balanced Diets
Our dairy farmers rely on experts in nutrition for advice on feeding their cows balanced diets that consist of hey, grain, protein, and other vitamins and minerals.
Doing Our Part
We're members of organizations that work tirelessly toward safer animal care, including rigorous standards for nutrition, water access, and shelter, including:
- NMPF Animal Health & Well-Being Committee
- All of our member farms participate in the FARM program
- New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP)
Investing in Cow Care Technology
We support continuous improvements in animal well-being technology that monitors cow habits and health to provide relevant treatment methods and nutrition.
Our Commitments
Upstate Niagara Cooperative has proudly adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, affirming to our customers, our consumers, and the global marketplace UNC's pledge to responsible dairy production as we nourish the communities we serve.
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Upstate Niagara cooperative is a proud member of the Dairy Sustainability Alliance®, affirming our commitment to socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sound dairy food systems.
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We actively participate and maintain membership in The Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable (SBR), which is a collaborative of public and private sector organizations working together to demonstrate how WNY businesses can take a lead in integrating sustainability into their operations.
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