Organic dairy farming is just one way of producing dairy foods. Currently, there isn’t any solid evidence to suggest that organic dairy is healthier than conventional dairy.

First, let’s talk about what organic dairy farming is. Organic dairy farming is a special way of farming that avoids using synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, and antibiotics. It also has specific rules about how cows are treated, what they eat, and how the land is managed.

When you look at organic farms, cows can graze freely or have minimum space requirements when they're housed. These farms also have areas dedicated to supporting biodiversity and growing perennial plants. 

In Australia, many conventional dairy farms adopt similar practices to prioritise cow welfare and environmental care, which is why the differences between organic and regular dairy farming may not be as significant here as they are in other countries, like parts of Europe.¹

Now, let's look at nutrition.

A large study in Europe found that organic milk has a different fatty acid profile compared to regular milk. Organic milk tends to have:

Higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3s, and conjugated linolenic acid (CLA).

Lower levels of selenium and iodine.

These differences largely come down to diet—organic cows in Europe eat more grass and less grain. However, we don’t yet know if similar nutritional differences apply to Australian organic milk, as there’s no national data comparing organic and regular milk here.

Apart from the nutrient differences, no study has investigated whether consuming regular or organic dairy foods brings different health benefits. This applies to organic foods in general as well.³

Is it really organic?

In Australia, businesses claiming their products are organic need evidence to back it up. There’s a voluntary Australian standard for labeling products as "organic." Certified organic producers must meet strict criteria set by private certification bodies, ensuring their practices align with the organic label.

Whether you choose organic or regular dairy, both provide essential nutrients and health benefits. At the end of the day, it’s about what works best for your lifestyle, values, and taste preferences. 

References

Nalon, E., & Stevenson, P. (2019). Protection of Dairy Cattle in the EU: State of Play and Directions for Policymaking from a Legal and Animal Advocacy Perspective. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 9(12), 1066. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121066

Średnicka-Tober, D., Barański, M., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., Benbrook, C., Steinshamn, H., . . . Leifert, C. (2016). Higher PUFA and n-3 PUFA, conjugated linoleic acid, α-tocopherol and iron, but lower iodine and selenium concentrations in organic milk: A systematic literature review and meta- and redundancy analyses. British Journal of Nutrition, 115(6), 1043-1060. doi:10.1017/S0007114516000349

Crystal Smith-Spangler, Margaret L. Brandeau, Grace E. Hunter, et al. Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives?: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med.2012;157:348-366. [Epub ahead of print 4 September 2012]. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007