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Rich volcanic soils, a temperate humid climate, and plenty of volcanic rocks to create paddocks make Terceira Island in the Azores Archipelago a paradise for dairy cows. Pastures cover nearly 40 percent of the Azores, which produce nearly a third of Portugal’s milk and half of its cheese. Dairy cows here are healthier than in mainland Europe, with lameness and metabolic disorders practically nonexistent, and have life spans of eight to ten years—nearly twice that of commercial herds elsewhere. Terceira Island’s farmers have also led the way in producing organic milk and milk labeled under the “Happy Cows” program that meets animal welfare standards.

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Rich volcanic soils, a temperate humid climate, and plenty of volcanic rocks to create paddocks make Terceira Island in the Azores Archipelago a paradise for dairy cows. Pastures cover nearly 40 percent of the Azores, which produce nearly a third of Portugal’s milk and half of its cheese. Dairy cows here are healthier than in mainland Europe, with lameness and metabolic disorders practically nonexistent, and have life spans of eight to ten years—nearly twice that of commercial herds elsewhere. Terceira Island’s farmers have also led the way in producing organic milk and milk labeled under the “Happy Cows” program that meets animal welfare standards.

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