Feeling the Joy of Biodynamic Farming
Our ‘Feel the Joy’ Communication Campaign highlights the essence of biodynamic farming, as a holistic, ethical, and ecological approach to farming caring for the people and the planet. Today, biodynamic farming is practiced in over 65 countries, with more than 7,000 farmers stewarding 255,000 hectares of land. Read on to discover what makes the quality of biodynamic and Demeter products!
Respect for living creatures
In biodynamic farming, animals are vital to the health and balance of the ‘farm organism’, playing a vital role in maintaining soil fertility, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering overall farm health.
In fact, the Demeter Standard encourages the integration of animals on the farm—with their wellbeing as a top priority and living conditions designed to fit their natural needs and behaviours.
Biodynamic farmers deeply value animal welfare and care for their animals with great attention and respect. It begins with the prohibition by the Demeter Standard of harmful practices like mutilation, which is why all Demeter cows keep their horns. But it also goes along with selecting breeds that are well-suited to the farm and environment, providing appropriate feed, and ensuring animals have enough space to express their natural behaviour. Rather than forcing animals to fit into industrial production systems, biodynamic farmers adapt their farms to meet the natural needs of the animals.
“Animals have a big spirit that you meet when you are there, and they give vitality to the farm.”
– Ruben Segers , Biodynamic Farmer — De Kollebloem Biodynamic Farm, Belgium
Cows have horns
In biodynamic farming, animals are seen as sentient beings and essential members of the farm organism. Among them, cows play a central role—not only for their fertile manure, but also for the life force they bring to the farm as a whole.
A unique and deeply rooted principle of the Demeter Standard is the prohibition of both dehorning cows and genetic hornless breeding. Unlike conventional systems that often remove horns for ease of handling or space efficiency, biodynamic farmers instead adapt their farms to the animals. Cows are given ample space to move freely, socialize, and live according to their natural behaviors, including keeping their horns, which serve multiple vital functions for their overall health and well-being.
Watch our interview from Inga Günther-Bender, managing director of the ÖTZ (animal breeding for organic agriculture).
© Biodynamic Federation Demeter International e.V.
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