US-based organic farmers cooperative Organic Valley has developed a new route with 12 100% grass-fed dairies in the mid-Atlantic region in the US to boost its Grassmilk production.

The 12 new Grassmilk dairy farmers come from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Earlier this year, the cooperative devised a new Northeast Grassmilk route from New York to Pennsylvania.

"We feed our cows 100% grass because it's the best thing to do for the cows, the people and the planet."

With the inclusion of recent dairies, the cooperative now has a total of 121 Grassmilk dairies throughout the US; in California, Wisconsin, Ohio, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.

It is expected that in 2017, more dairy farmers will join the cooperative to aid further growth and new product development.

The Organic Valley Grassmilk products range includes milk, yogurt and cheese.

Organic Valley Grassmilk farmer-owner Ron Holter said: "The milk simply tastes better and is more nutritious.

"We feed our cows 100% grass because it's the best thing to do for the cows, the people and the planet."

The firm's Grassmilk is claimed to contain naturally-occurring calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

While the production of Grassmilk started in 2011, its branded yogurt was introduced in 2015.

Similar to all the Organic Valley products, its yogurt is United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ceritified and does not contain any antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Formed in 1988, Organic Valley constitutes more than 1,800 farmers in 36 states. It produces organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads and creams.

Image: Ron Holter, an Organic Valley farmer-owner in Maryland. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Organic Valley.