Hello everyone! I thought that I would post a Myth vs Fact about milk and dairy farms. Primarily myths regarding Progressive dairy farms (aka Conventional)
Especially as there is a shortage of “Organic” milk availability. I have stated before and will again that I support my fellow organic dairy farmers. They do a terrific job with the method of farming that they chose. I just want it to be understood among all of the media mumbo jumbo regarding progressive farming.
As a progressive farmer I choose this method of farming primarily because as an organic dairy I am unable to use antibiotics to treat my seriously ill animals. These antibiotics are the same medicines that I took when I had a breast infection while I was best feeding. Or the same medicine I gave my children when they had infections that became serious. Morally, I have an issue with not being able to treat my cows as I would myself or my children and risk the loss of an animal when there are methods in which to save them.
“MILK IS MILK”
Myth: All milk contains antibiotics, except organic.
Fact: All milk is carefully tested for antibiotics. Any milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately, and does not enter into the food supply.
- Sometimes it’s necessary for farmers to treat cows with antibiotics when they are ill, just as humans sometimes need medication when they are sick.
- All milk is strictly tested for antibiotics on the farm and processing plant. Any milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately and does not get into the food supply.
- The U.S. dairy industry conducts more than 3.3 million tests each year on all milk entering dairy plants to ensure that antibiotics are kept out of the milk supply. According to the most recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, less than one tanker in 3,000 tests positive for any animal drug residues, including antibiotics. In those rare cases, any milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately and does not get into the food supply.
- The milk testing system provides dairy farmers strong incentives to keep their milk free of antibiotics. Any milk that tests positive for antibiotics is immediately dumped. In such cases, the farmer responsible for the milk is required to pay for the full tanker of milk.
- Milk and dairy products are among the most stringently regulated foods in this country.
Myth: Today’s dairy cow is treated like nothing more than a milk machine.
Fact: Dairy cows must be healthy and well cared for in order to produce pure, wholesome milk.
- Farmers employ professional nutritionists to develop a scientifically formulated, balanced and nutritious diet for their cows. Diets include hay, grains, protein sources, and vitamins and minerals.
- Dairy cows receive regular veterinary care, including periodic check-ups, preventative vaccinations and prompt treatment of illness.
- The dairy industry has in place a number of initiatives that demonstrate commitment to animal well-being. The National Dairy FARM Program™ is a nationwide, verifiable program that addresses animal well-being. Third-party verification ensures the validity and the integrity of the program to our customers and consumers.
- Dairy farmers depend on healthy cows for their livelihood.
Myth: The reason the price of milk is going up in the grocery store is so dairy farmers can get rich.
- Dairy farmers only receive about 30 cents of every dollar.
- Market forces, like demand, impact the price of milk at the grocery store,
- Farmers are seeing a lot of cost increases in producing milk, including feed and transportation. These cost increases have left slim margins for dairy farmers in recent years.
Fact: Price increases for dairy, and all foods, beverages and other goods, are tied to dramatic increases in energy/fuel, distribution, transportation, feed, and supply costs.
Myth: Modern dairy farmers don’t practice sustainable agriculture.
Fact: Dairy farmers depend on land, air and water as part of their livelihood.
- Dairy farms must meet standards for manure storage, handling and recycling per guidelines from state and federal agencies. Once dried, manure is reused as comfortable animal bedding, composted for local garden centers and nurseries, or spread on fields to grow healthy crops, thereby reducing the need for commercial fertilizers.
- Dairy farms must follow strict state and local water quality regulations. Dairy farmers use water responsibly in their milking parlors, in water storage and in recycling.
- Constant innovation on dairy farms has led to widespread adoption of best management practices, and U.S. dairy farms are more efficient today than ever before. According to Cornell University, the dairy industry has reduced the carbon footprint of its products by 63 percent over the past 60 years, thanks to improvements in animal genetics, feeding rations, animal health programs, cow comfort and overall farm management practices. In fact, more milk is produced today with only 9 million cows than with 26 million cows in 1944.
- Dairy is one of the most regulated and inspected industries in agriculture. Dairy farms must abide by federal, state and local clean water laws that regulate manure application on cropland, and government agencies regularly inspect the water on dairy farms. Further, state agencies have rigorous processes for granting permits to new and expanding dairy farms.
- Dairy farmers live and work on their farms, so they understand the importance of protecting our natural resources, so that it will be there for future generations.
Reblogged this on Adjusting to Life and commented:
Over the past few years I’ve made extra efforts to eat organic… partially for health reasons and also for moral reasons. But, wow… eating organic is expensive! So, lately I’ve been trying to prioritize my organic purchases and find a balance between budget and nutrition. It’s good to know that dairy is probably one thing I don’t have to worry about. Thanks to the Dairy Goddess for clearing up the confusion!
Happy to help…I think it is important to fully understand the whole story and then make your decisions from there on how to spend your had earned dollars.
People need to know that when cows are treated with antibiodics, their milk is discarded as per instruction by vets. or by instructions with the meds.
Thank you for that very informative info!
Love your blog. I wish I could find an organic dairy farmer near me.
All milk is not free of antibiotics. What about the two dozen that aren’t tested for? Why is Big Dairy fighting the FDA about testing for these antibiotics?
“It said it would test for about two dozen antibiotics beyond the six that are typically tested for. ”
Why does the conventional dairy industry lie about this? Organic is the ONLY option for clean food.
Cheese and cultured products will NOT become cheese and cultured with antibiotics present in the milk.
There is, as I said many misconceptions that many wish to believe and I respect those opinions and their beliefs if that is what they choose.
Many people only read and study one side of the story. Those people you can not change. Many though want to know BOTH sides and not just by someones belief or opinion.
The concerns for the new testing was sparked by antibiotic residue in BEEF cattle. Why is dairy concerned? We produce MILK. We have a different procedure in our treatment of animals. Our present testing takes minutes. New testing takes weeks. That can cost dairy farmers and consumers thousands of dollars as much milk would have to be dumped in the mean time as you can not shut off cows milking like a faucet. The freshness of the milk will be compromised waiting for clearance. I can assure you progressive milk is FREE of antibiotics! As a dairy producer our greatest fear is to have antibiotics traced in the milk as that milk is dumped and we do not get paid.
I drink the milk from my farm. I was raised on the milk from my farm and raised my children on the milk from my farm. Do you think that if I was not confident in my product
or if I thought it was not CLEAN I would do so? No I would not, I am first a mother and wife just like so many others!
Great explanation. As young dairy farmers, we also strive to educate. I think that your supportive attitude towards organic, yet careful explanation of conventional/progressive is right on target. Unfortunately, I think farms are like everything else in life, and there are those that aren’t “team players” and make the rest of us look bad. Fortunately, I think that they are becoming more strict with farms that have had an antibiotic violations and they are continuing to monitor them after their violation. THat’s a better incentive to do our best! We currently send all samples from treated cows who are past their withhold period to our milk processor for pretty strict antibiotic/medication testing with wonderful success. But remember, organic farms are just like everyone else too—there are those in the batch that don’t follow rules. Good farming practices in general are better than any “type” of milk!
Thank you Cassandra! Most people are balanced and rational. Those that are not usually make the most noise and get the most attention. That is why it is so important, as dairy farmers that we clarify these misconceptions and tell OUR side of the story. The media often picks and chooses and goes for the “OMG” story…so that is why social media a a great way to share. Being a young dairy farmer your word carries so much…keep at it!
I enjoy reading your blog this morning, Neal
Thank you Neal!
Thank you for the explanation. We were just discussing antibiotic and hormone dangers to children. What are your thought on the grow hormones used by progressive farmers?
As a child my mother’s rule was that after you have a fever over 3 days that is when you go to the doctor. I raised my kids the same way. We were hardly ever prescribed antibotics and neither were my kids. After 3 days you usually got better on your own. I am more fearful of parents that do not want to deal with an ill child and quick to go to doctor and doctors quick to pass out antibiotics.
As far as homones…well it is easy to blame something. To me personally I think that young people are exposed to too much too soon. We have become desensitized and don’t realize what our kids are seeing and hearing and the images that steal their youth and innocence.
I DO NOT use the supplement Rbst! It is not a tool I feel necessary for my farm. I do have to say that it is the most tested tool that has been around nearly 30 years. 30 years of testing and to date it still can not be traced in the milk. I have to state that to be fair. So personally if everything was that tested and retested I think they would have found a problem by now.
Commonly Asked Questions About rBST*
1.What is rBST?
rBST (Rocombinant Bovine Somatatropin) is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone BST (Bovine Somatatropin) produced by cows. After a decade of research, the FDA approved the use of rBST to increase milk production in dairy cows.
2.Is there a test for rBST?
Currently there is not a test for rBST. There is no difference in the molecular structure of rBST and BST.
I just came across your great blog~ I am a Canadian Dairy farmer. I am sad by the misconceptions that are out there.
I love my cows. It is my job to take care of them. I make sure they are comfortable, They get the hoof trimmer when they need a pedicure, they get only the best feed we can provide, and they get the vet when they are sick. They are not just milk machines. I know each one of my cows by name, and know their personality. I know to be careful when milking Lorraine, she can be jumpy. I know that Bunches will look back at me with those eyes until I give in and spend a few mintues scatching her chin. I know that Ficka will kick the machine off if it is left on one minute longer than she deems fit, and that Bud would never hurt a fly.
I miss Iris who would come in the barn at milking time blatting at the top of her lungs to announce the herd had arrived.
I am a vegetarian, and I cry when one of my girls leave the farm.
Thankyou for clearing up some of these myths. Most of my cows will never see a drug, if they are sick and need antibiotics, that milk is disposed of until the drug residue is out of her system~
Thank you Laura for sharing. A perfect example of how dairy farmers strive to cow comfort around the world!
Very Nice Blog !
I Like This Very Much.
Methods of Modern Farming
Dairy farming
Barbara, I like the layout and content of the myth vs. fact issues. I would like to share them on my site. See you and Tony soon!
Please do! My pleasure! See you soon.
I love this! Such fantastic myths to point out that really do create strong perceptions of dairy and dairy families… it can be difficult to be patient and help consumers understand that we would not be putting a product on the market that we would not be comfortable feeding to our own children. Thank you for this!
As a kid living on the westside of the Phoenix area, I had many school friends whose parents had dairies of different sizes. The best tasting milk I ever had was what came directly out of the cooling tanks before the milk was picked up,
and delivered to the dairy processors. What a taste memory this is!
Thank you for promoting the dairy industry in a factual way. Love your blog!