Jersey Dairy allows their dairy cows to keep their calves for six weeks. The small local dairy is the first in Norway to produce drinking milk this way, following advice from the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance.
Jersey Dairy (in Norwegian: Jerseymeieriet) produces Norway's first drinking milk certified with the Norwegian Animal Welfare Label. This means that the dairy cows keep their calves for at least six weeks, and that separation is carried out gradually. The label is owned by the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance, and our team of dedicated veterinarians have had the pleasure of advising the Jersey Dairy on their path to improved animal welfare.
Norwegian dairy production
In Norway drinking milk is a commonly used product. In primary school, parents are encouraged to order cow's milk for their children to be served at lunch.
In Norwegian dairy production, newborn calves are normally separated from their mothers immediately after birth. A large proportion of dairy cows are still kept tied in separate stalls where their space to move is very limited. Young heifers and bulls that are fed until slaughter are usually kept in confined group pens.
Until 2025, there has been no drinking milk from cows that have been allowed to keep their calves with them for more than three days.
Dairy cows together with their calves at Jersey Dairy
Jersey Dairy is a small dairy and farm located in the western part of Norway, in a district with many farms.
From the start of 2025 Jersey Dairy is certified with the Norwegian Animal Welfare Label, which guarantees that:
- The cows keep their calves for at least six weeks, and that separation is carried out gradually
- Calves are allowed to drink milk from their mothers
- No animals are tied or otherwise confined in stalls
- At least four months of grazing every year for all animals
The story of Jersey Dairy
Farmers Sonja and Per Ådne took over the Herikstad Farm in 2001. Sonja grew up on the farm. The farm has 80 dairy cows and about 100 young stock, with 80–90 calvings every year. In 2021, the couple established Jersey Dairy, located at the farm.
Sonja studied cheesemaking and now runs the dairy with eight employees, including three full-time. Two of their daughters assist in production.
– Many think animal welfare groups only want to shut farms down, so we shouldn’t engage with them. I disagree. Our experience with the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance has been excellent. They are professional, and the process has been a perfect 10 out of 10. We want the best for our animals and are proud to be Norway's first farm with animal welfare-certified dairy products in stores. The certification proves our high standards, he says.
A Wide Range of Products
The Jersey Dairy products are available in large parts of Norway due to their collaboration with Meny, a major retailer. At Meny's online grocery shop and in Meny supermarkets Norwegians can now find the Jersey milk from cows being allowed to nurse their own calves.
Jersey Dairy also produces cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, chocolate milk, ice cream, and cheese. They also sell meat products.
Their farm shop has a milk dispenser where local customers can fill their own bottles. Two-thirds is sold to the Norwegian dairy co-operative, while the rest is used for Jersey Dairy's own products.
Animal Welfare a Core Value
The cows live in a free-stall barn with waterbeds. Young stock stay on deep bedding. This is a new practice, but results have been positive. The farm has a long grazing season.
– We are thrilled to work with Jersey Dairy. They are paving the way for other farmers, showing that change is possible, says Live Kleveland, spokesperson at the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance.
With Jersey Dairy’s certified milk, a new standard is set for Norwegian dairy farming. Sonja and Per Ådne hope that more farmers will follow their lead.
