As I put the cows out to graze last night, I noticed something remarkable: the growing diversity of plants appearing in our pastures.

What started with just three varieties 30 years ago has now become over 20+ plant species—all thanks to a regenerative approach to grazing dairy cows. By carefully timing when cows enter and leave paddocks, and by giving the land proper rest, new species are able to establish and flourish.

Today, our pastures include:

• Brome grass
• Alfalfa
• Vetch
• Yarrow
• Red, white, and sweet clover
• Buck brush
• Hazelbrush
• Aspen, oak, and ash shoots
• Juneberry, chokecherry, raspberry bushes
• …and many more

This kind of plant diversity is a hidden benefit of grass-fed farming. It’s something missing from conventional milk.

Why Diversity Matters: Phytonutrients in Milk

Phytochemicals (or phytonutrients) are plant compounds beyond protein, energy, and fiber. They are created by plants as part of their metabolism to fight disease, deter pests, and build resiliency.

When cows graze a wide variety of plants, these phytochemicals end up in their milk—bringing hidden benefits to the people who drink it.

Fred Provenza, researcher and author of Nourishment, has shown how diverse forages rich in phytochemicals contribute to both animal health and human nutrition.

This is something missing in conventional dairies, where cows are kept in confinement and fed a uniform Total Mixed Ration (TMR) of GMO corn, soy, and synthetic additives. The result? High quantities of milk, but with far less diversity of nutrients.

Why This Matters for Human Health

Phytonutrients are already recognized in human nutrition—breastmilk contains them to help strengthen babies’ immune systems and regulate development.

Similarly, milk from grazing cows carries phytonutrients that support immunity, digestion, and overall resilience. While science hasn’t fully unraveled all the ways they work, research has linked raw milk consumption with:

• Reduced childhood asthma
• Lower rates of allergies
• Support for respiratory health

The likely reason? The synergy of probiotics, enzymes, and phytonutrients found in raw, grass-fed milk.

Many families notice real changes when they move away from processed foods and conventional dairy. Parents often report their kids calling raw milk “the good milk”—and even notice calmer moods, better satiety, and fewer sensitivities.

Maximizing Nutrition for A Healthier Generation

At Bartlett Farms, our mission is to create the most nutrient-dense dairy possible to nurture a healthier next generation. That means:

• Maximum grazing on green, growing pastures in summer
• High-quality hay in winter
• Regenerative grazing practices that keep our soil and pastures thriving year after year

We believe that respecting God’s design for the cow enhances her ability to nourish the lives of the people who enjoy healthy raw cows milk.

Are you looking for a more nourished lifestyle? Bartlett Farms offers home delivery of raw milk in glass bottles in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks, and other locations around the state.

Click here to shop our selection of raw dairy and sign up today!