Dairy Farms Go Natural

Dairy farmers in America are hearing consumers loud and clear on milk. Demand for dairy products free from artificial hormones like recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) is growing, even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that “producers have no basis for claiming that milk from cows not treated with rBST is safer than milk from rBST-treated cows.” As a result many dairies around the country are producing milk free of synthetic hormones.

Even with conventional rBST-free options in the dairy case, consumers are also turning to organic. Why? Organic milk production emphasizes the health of the cows, the environment, and even consumers, making it worth every penny.

National Standards

While all dairy farmers ensure that the cows that give you your favorite dairy products are healthy and well cared for, the National Organic Program’s standards take this a step or two further. Certified organic dairies must provide their livestock with shade, comfortable shelter, clean bedding, access to fresh air and sunlight, and proper hygiene. Organic herds are given organic feed, safe pasture for grazing, and clean drinking water as well.

Certified organic dairy cattle cannot be given antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or most parasiticides. Organic dairy farmers use natural and alternative veterinary methods to prevent and treat illness, employing antibiotics only when an animal’s survival depends upon these drugs. In this case, the animal is removed from the herd, and it cannot be used for organic milk production.

International Research

Danish investigators have concluded that mortality is lower in organic herds and those that graze pasture during the summer. Besides supporting cows' well-being, the resulting milk may also have added health benefits.

Scottish researchers discovered that organic milk contains up to 70 percent more omega 3s than conventional milk. Another study found that organic milk contains two to three times the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin (useful in vision) in conventional milk. Also, milk from organically raised cows has considerably more vitamin E and beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.

Organic dairy is linked to better quality breast milk as well. A new study reports that consuming organic dairy products increases levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a healthy fat that helps build muscle and protect against disease. “The study shows that breastfeeding mothers can influence the supply and quality of fatty acids for their infants by eating a diet with organic dairy,” conclude researchers.

Going the Extra Mile

Many dairies go beyond the national organic standards. Some have updated their dairy standards to allow more grazing time than the national minimum. Organic dairies also work hard to maintain rich soil to provide nutritious grass.

Support dairy farmers who make an effort to reduce the stress on their animals and their land. Organic dairy production is humane, environmentally friendly, and appears to offer more nutrition to consumers. That makes the cost of certified organic dairy products seem small when compared to their benefits.