The Ammerland

Full of flavor and freshness

Endless expanses, lush grass, and grazing cows in unspoiled nature – it’s the perfect recipe for sustainable, high-quality dairy farming, and it’s ours.

The Region

Graze on our numbers

Permanent grassland

54 %

percentage of land within 80 km of the dairy

Average

200

cows per herd

Average

83 %

humidity per year

It’s In Our Nature

A life in greener pastures

The Ammerland dairy cows roam expansive open pastures surrounded by endless nature. Fresh grass and a fresh breeze from Germany’s North Sea keep them active and content.

Our Farmers

Local and loyal

Dairy farmers are at the core of our foundation. Since 1885, our dairy farmers have made it all possible. Their family farms have been dedicated to dairy farming for generations, with passion, responsibility, and sustainability firmly rooted in our region. All our dairy farms are located around our dairy: Ammerland, Oldenburg, Wesermarsch, Friesland, East Friesland, South Oldenburg, and Rheiderland.

Cooperative

Our dairy family

Together we are strong. That’s been our motto since 1885, when seven Ammerland farmers joined forces to create one of the first dairy cooperatives in northern Germany. We lived by it then, and we still live by it today. Almost 2,000 dairy farmers and 500 employees form the heart and leadership of The Ammerland Dairy.

From farmers and dairy employees to the supervisory board, executive board, and even our cows: each individual plays an important role in making the Ammerland dairy co-op what it is today - one of the largest independent dairy cooperatives in Germany and one of the most modern dairies in the world.

The company

Our dairy at a glance

Founded

1885

as a cooperative enterprise

Almost

500

Employees (there of 16 trainees)

Cooperative

2,000

active Milk suppliers

Diary

Care, collaboration, and quality from start to finish

From the first step of production to the last, care, collaboration, and uncompromising quality is at the core of everything we do. We ship your favorite dairy products from one of two modern production sites via our subsidiaries all over the world. We’re proud to supply customers in more than 60 countries with our dairy products.

Chronicle

Masters of milk since 1885

1885

Founding of the first north German dairy cooperative

Seven farmers join forces and start one of the first dairy cooperatives in northern Germany. The goal: the production and sale of dairy products.

1948

Starting with cheese production

Despite established foreign imports, Ammerland dairies successfully enter the cheese production market. The cheese business develops so well that by 1960, more than 70% of the milk supplied is processed into cheese.

1956

Growing and modernizing

With the introduction of the "Green Plans" (a German support program for Agricultural businesses), agriculture is experiencing a modernization boost. Numerous technical innovations are being introduced to our Ammerland dairies and on the suppliers' farms.

1965

Winning with milk tankers

Pumps instead of physical strength, cooling instead of ambient temperature, large tanks instead of 20-liter cans, trucks instead of tractors with trailers: these innovations change the game for milk production. Specifically, the introduction of the milk collection truck towards the end of the 1960s inspires a small revolution.

1989/1990

Founding of Milchwerke Ammerland-Oldenburg EG

This year is characterized as the year of change. The year begins with a unification in Ammerland: The dairy co-operatives in Westerstede, Wiefelstede, Oldenburg, Jaderberg, Altjührden, and Apen merge to form Milchwerke Ammerland-Oldenburg eG. In April 1990, work begins on the new main plant in Wiefelstede-Dringenburg. Production of cheese and whey concentrates started one year later.

1994

Certificate for quality management

The products in the new plant are of top quality right from the start: Milchwerke Ammerland-
Oldenburg eG is one of the first dairies to be awarded the international quality standard ISO 9002.

2000

Renaming to Molkerei Ammerland

By resolution of the General Meeting of 26 May 2000, Milchwerke Ammerland-Oldenburg eG changes its name to Molkerei Ammerland eG.

2001

Introducing the "Ammerländer" brand

Molkerei Ammerland introduces its own brand for dairy products, Ammerländer. The name is a nod to the original dairy and the location of today's production. In the years that follow, the brand develops into a national and international success.

2003

Direct marketing

Molkerei Ammerland transitions to independent sales and distribution. The cheese products are marketed under the new brand name, Ammerländer, or sold directly to trade customers. Butter, milk, and whey powder are also marketed directly from now on.

2010

Celebrating 125 years of the Ammerland dairy

Molkerei Ammerland celebrates its 125th anniversary. As part of an anniversary event, a chronicle of the cooperative "Irresistible. Since 1885. The history of Molkerei Ammerland eG" is published.

2015

Expanding the Oldenburg site

At the Oldenburg site, an ultra-high temperature plant opens to produce long-life milk. In addition, warehouse capacity expands to 2,200 storage spaces in the UHT milk warehouse and 3,000 in the fresh milk warehouse.

2017

Labeling pasture milk "Pro Weideland"

Molkerei Ammerland launches its own pasture milk program in 2011 and becomes a transfer partner of the Grassland Centre Bremen / Lower Saxony. Together with a large stakeholder community from businesses, politics, and NGOs, they develop criteria for a label. Since 2017, Molkerei Ammerland has officially been producing pasture milk products for the German market under the umbrella of "PRO WEIDELAND. German Pasture Charter." The "PRO WEIDELAND" label guarantees that the corresponding pasture farming criteria are met.

2017

Processing organic milk

As the first large producer in Lower Saxony, Molkerei Ammerland begins processing its own organic milk. The organic milk is produced in compliance with the applicable regulations on organic farming and Bioland e.V.

2018

Organic milk in sustainable milk packaging

The Ammerländer brand launches its organic milk line in 2018. Molkerei Ammerland is the first company in Germany to use sustainable packaging made entirely from renewable raw materials.

Ammerländer

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