Arla Virtual Farm

Use your cursor to drag around the map, you can click on the icons to find out more

Here’s where the magic happens – down on the farm where the cows live. They can explore the fields and hang around with the other cows, while the farmers look after them and give them everything they might need to be healthy. There’s lots of different things that go into making really good milk, which include giving the cows the best living conditions possible.

Fields of plenty

We all know cows eat grass, but there are many other things that make up a healthy cow diet.

As well as fresh grass, they can eat different fruit and vegetable pulps, such as oranges that have been squeezed for juice, or apples, wheat and corn.

These sorts of foods naturally provide a lot of energy, and are used to support the cows’ energy intake in the wintertime or when more milk is needed.

The milking parlour

Every day, the cows wander over to the milking parlour to be milked! There are many different types of milking parlour, with lots of different milking equipment that make it all a bit easier than using a bucket and stool like in the olden days.

While some farmers will encourage their cows to be milked at a set time during the day, other farms have automatic milking equipment so each cow can choose when she wants to be milked.

Looking their best

Cows have a regular health and beauty routine, with pedicures at least twice a year, and a brush for daily exfoliation.

The farmer will trim a cow’s hooves regularly to keep her feet healthy and protect against developing mobility problems.

Cows can also have access to a cow brush, a motion-activated heavy duty rotating brush that helps to exfoliate their skin and keep them clean. It’s also fun for the cows, helping to calm and relax them whenever they want!

PRETEND TO BE A COW

Imagine you're a cow and see how they live by downloading our cow masks. There's even one for you to colour in!

Did you know?

Some farms have a set time each day for the herd to be milked, while other milking parlours use robots so that each cow can decide when she wants to be milked!

Cows love to spend time with their friends! Evidence suggests that cows have best friends that they recognise and hang out with. Cows can even recognise different humans just as well as they recognise other cows.

Arla Farmers don’t just milk the cows, they own the company! So when you buy any Arla product, you are helping to support the farmers and their families.

Cows have pedicures at least twice a year! Cows also have access to a cow brush to help them to exfoliate their skin. Cows enjoy being pampered as it helps them to relax.

We all know cows eat grass, but there are many other things that make up a healthy diet. As well as fresh grass, they can eat various fruit and vegetable pulps, such as oranges.

Cows spend around 3 hours a day eating! They pull out grass with their tongues and chew from side to side instead of up and down.

Some of our Arla farmers track their herd using pedometers, which are a kind of fitbit for cows. It helps them to keep a close eye on every cow so they can make sure they’re well cared for.

Black and white cows are part of the Holstein-Friesian breed. Their black and white markings are unique to each cow – much like a fingerprint is to a human!

Cows love to spend time with their friends! Evidence suggests that cows even have best friends that they recognise and hang out with.

Milk is full of natural nourishment! It’s naturally high in many nutrients and can help keep you healthy.

We want all our dairy farms to be sustainable and to impact the environment as little as possible. Our farmers do lots of work to help reduce the carbon footprint (and hoofprints) of their dairy farms, such as reducing electricity usage and waste production.

Life on the farm is hard work! Typically, an Arla farmer will get up at 5am to milk and feed their cows before they sit down for breakfast – even on Christmas day!

Healthy cows are happy cows! Our farmers take the time to check that their cows are healthy at least once a day, making sure they get 10 hours of rest, good quality feed and special care if they’re unwell. Every cow is treated as an individual to give them a good life on the farm.