To Graze or Not to Graze? Finnish Dairy Farmers' Views on Pasture Access Vary Sharply

To Graze or Not to Graze? Finnish Dairy Farmers’ Views on Pasture Access Vary Sharply merimaaj@helsinki.fi Wed, 29/07/2026 - 08:48 Interviews with Finnish dairy producers shed light on the place of pasture access in modern dairy farming and its significance for animal welfare. As dairy farms in Finland shift to freestall barns, automatic milking systems, and larger herds, the once-standard practice of summer pasture grazing becomes increasingly rare.