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In a word, yes. To learn more, read on.
Mention the word organic and many people immediately see dollar signs. They may understand that organic products are grown without pesticides, are not genetically modified, and do not come from chemically fertilized fields. But they may not realize what those words really mean and certainly still do not understand or realize the added health benefits of eating this cleaner, more nutritious food. Mention organic milk or dairy products and the average consumer will cringe. That's because organic dairy products typically cost a significant amount above conventional dairy and people still do not understand that there is more to think about than just the cost of the product.
According to an article in the New York Times from earlier this year, there is a glut of milk. This, obviously, affects the price paid to the farmer and ultimately the price paid for the product. In this economy many people welcome the slowly lowering price of dairy products. The difficulty comes from not understanding the difference between the types of products available. Conventional milk comes from cows who are confined to feedlot operations, crowded and not given access to fresh pasture. They are also still fed products that are pesticide, herbicide and drug laden as well as having genetically modified organisms (GMO) in their food. They may also be given large amounts of antibiotics. Natural milk comes from cows who are not given growth hormone (which increases their production of milk) however all the other conventional practices apply from crowding in feedlots to chemicals and GMO feed. Organic milk comes from cows who have none of the above. They are required to be pastured for at least part of the day and to have clean feed and a clean environment. This costs more and is part of the reason for the increased cost of the end product.
Dean Foods has now taken over a well-respected organic brand, Horizon. They are planning to change their production process and offer a “natural” product line aimed at young children. Dean Foods claims that this natural product will be less expensive and that they are providing a service to help consumers. The question is with a well-known, well-respected, profitable organic label already on the market why are they trying to adulterate the brand?
Unfortunately Dean's previous foray into tampering with a well-respected organic brand, Silk organic soy milk, did not go well. According to an article found in the Organic Consumers Association newsletter Dean switched from organic, USA-grown to Chinese-sourced conventionally grown soy beans, relied on the name, and charged the same price. All without mentioning anything to consumers or retailers. In fact many of the retailers only noticed when their customers began to complain. Not only did Dean not lower the price of their reformulated “natural” soy products, they then turned around and raised the price on the organic soy that they were producing. One wonders how long it will be until they try the same profiteering methods with Horizon dairy. It is one way of increasing profits in the face of a glut of product.
In the end it all comes back to remaining vigilant and concerned about what you eat. Read the labels. That point is so important it bears repeating. Read the labels. Because you never know when a profit hungry huge agri-business producer will attempt to capitalize on brand identity to make a change that negatively affects your food and your health.
For more information:
Why chose organic milk
Organic Consumers Association
Comments
Great article! Organic even tastes better (but, I'm not a big "soy" fan). Shame on ANY U.S. company for trying to cut costs by importing from China!! Dean Foods should stick with American made...and use organic milk in their "dips" to get consumers convinced it's okay to try organic.
Thanks for the info~ James
>Organic milk comes from cows who have none of the above. They are required to be pastured for at least part of the day and to have clean feed and a clean environment.
WRONG.When winter hits the MidWest and East cows are not able to be pasture fed.Do you think they change the label because of it?
All cows are kept clean to keep them healthy.The pasture rule exists for only one reason.To keep the herd size small and exclude larger dairys.Conventional herds out West are held to much higher state and federal regulations than most other states.Especially herds in the MidWest and East.All milk is free of chemicals and antibiotics.That is a fact.
As someone who has been dairying for 33 years, there is no bigger rip-off to consumers and farmers than this so-called "Natural".
A "Natural" farmer can use all the chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides it wants, use antibiotics, dock the cows tails, provide no pasture, and house them in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, (CAFO's), plus use hormones like Lutalyse, Progesterone and gnrh, but cut out one hormone, rBGH, and they can call that product natural? And then Dean Foods charges the unknowing consumer a dollar a gallon for this bogus product while giving the farmer maybe 2 cents a gallon for it. Shame on Dean Foods.
>Lyle says: but cut out one hormone, rBGH, and >they can call that product natural?
You do know that rBGH is naturally occurring hormone in ALL milk right?
Organic DOES taste better, and before reading this article I've been really on the fence about whether or not I'll go organic or just stay hormone-free. Now, I'm going organic. Organic milk really does come from an entirely different source...one that's treated humanely, has quality of life, and lives as cows were intended long before mass dairy farming became necessary.
- Anna M
blog.nutri-health.com
Anna M here are some facts to ponder.Organic feed takes alot more ground than conventional because you make alot less tons per acre.Cows that are organic certified(for whatever thats worth)produce less pounds of milk.What does all that mean?If you want to be green then organics is a joke.You must burn a boat load more oil to be organic.I am sure that is a shock but it is the truth.The chemicals that are used in the fields kill weeds and pests that significantly increase the yield of ground.Organic feeding methods significantly reduce milk yield(pounds of milk per cow).The science is there if you want the truth.I know organics make you FEEL better right?
Cowman doesn't know what he's talking about. I dairy farmed 26 years and the last 7 organically. My cows are out producing the cows I had conventionally because they last a lot longer and are far more healthier now than when I farmed conventionally. There is no question that my cows are more healthier which is testament enough o the benefits of organic farming. The proof is in the pudding
Because a cow lasts longer doesnt mean you are emitting less greenhouse gas.If you took all organic dairys and averaged them out they produce way less milk than their conventional counterpart.What does that mean?It takes alot more organic cows to produce the same amount of milk a conventional cow does.Not very green huh.
First of all, organic cows can milk as well conventional, it's just that organic farmers don't push the hell out of them. As far as greenhouse gases goes, My cows have less emissions now than they did when I was conventional because of their diet
So your cows produce 8 to 10 gallons per day average?I dont think so.
Personally I like Organic Milk. We have a lot of members in our family who thought they were lactose intolerant until they tried organic milk and were able to have it. That is when we did our research and found out about all of the pesticides, hormones, antibiotics etc. We are now happy and healthy and get sick much less often than people who don't eat organically.
Also- cowman, in the MidWest/East they are still able to have clean feed that does not have pesticides. rBGH is not naturally found in ALL milk either. It is an artificial growth hormone. BGH is naturally occurring from the pituitary gland. There is a difference.
Being more "Green" is not the essential goal of eating organic. Eating organic is a way to keep people healthy. You're probably just upset because you have a conventional cow farm with all your nasty pesticides and hormones.
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