Milky Facts in Crazyville

In my world, pasteurized milk has always seemed safe.  I never questioned the quality or value. Maybe it is due to the lack of color, no recent Salmonella outbreak or the simple fact that cows lactate just like humans. Then someone came around and started screaming conventional milk is bad. Never told me why, just that it was bad.  I never researched why and "they" never handed out a pamphlet on their statements. I just heard conventional farmers were doing it wrong and buy organic milk instead. The question still remained, huh?  Why?  What have conventional farmers done wrong? Farmers turned lazy and into money grubby cow owners?  Was this a conspiracy?  This just did not seem right given farmers are some of the hardest working Americans I have met.

To get to the bottom of this issue, I did a survey among friends who buy organic milk.  The same theme among the respondents were they buy organic milk because:

• Hormone Free

• No Antibiotics

• Safer to drink than conventional milk

• No pesticides/Fear what feed is given to the cows

Several respondents said their biggest reason for buying organic milk was the hormone free issue. Today, every major brand has a “no growth hormone” statement.  Even Walmart got into the game a few years back.  Did you check the latest offering at Aldi? Their milk label stated “hormone free. “    

Respondents were afraid of antibiotics in conventional milk.  Earlier this summer I toured the Drendel conventional dairy farm and the Deans processing facility to get some answers. The farmers explained they only use antibiotics when the cow is sick, as a humane action. The milk from a sick cow is separated and never enters the food chain.  Plus, when all the milk arrived at the processing facility it is tested to ensure there are no traces of any antibiotic. In truth, there are several tests conventional raw milk must past before it is accepted at the facility. Tests include additional water, temperature, bacterial count and 11 other tests. 

A sick cow is not on antibiotics for life. Just like our kids, the cows are given antibiotics until the doctor said the illness passed.  Once the cow recovered and a certain number of days have past, then the milk entered the food chain.  Organic milk followed the same procedure except the animal's milk is never allowed to re-enter the food chain.  This milk is sold off as conventional.    

Organic milk buyers said they fear what the conventional cows eat.  This a valid point.  The end product is only as good as what the cows was feed - just like humans.  All cows, organic or conventional are feed a mixture called Total Ready Mix (TRM).  

These buckets contain ingredients for TRM

TRM is a mix of high moisture corn, corn silage, baled hay, haylage, cottonseed, protein (canola) and minerals. Still don't believe me?  "Please assure everyone that there are NO antibiotics in cow feed." Linda Drendel, Dairy Farmer. She stated  "The farm nutritionist confirms that there are no antibiotics in the feed."  You read that right, the farm nutritionist is on site to ensure the cows are given the right feed.  Everyone involved in dairy farming has the same goal - healthy cows that give milk.  If the cow lacks certain nutrients, not feeling well or lived in a poor environment the cow's milk production will drop.  The highest milk production came from comfortable cows with the correct feed. What separates conventional cows from organic is the feed, every component must be GMO free. 

A few months ago, I did reflect on the drink that is a staple in my home.  How safe is our milk?  This is the drink that young children start on their first birthday and continue drinking throughout their growing years.  Some of us continue to grow in different ways, but still take milk in our coffee or Cheerios.  Can a liquid that is given to humans from another animal be safe?  Let's be honest, the poop also falls close to where the milk is drawn.  My poop worries and sanitation of our nation's milk supply were alleviated a few months back.  Visit here for that post.  

Cows being milked at Drendel Farm.

What is interesting, none of the respondents were concerned about the welfare of the cows.  Organic milking cows are required to have access to a pasture for the entire grazing season and get at least 30% of their feed from pasture. Plus, organic livestock are required to have access to the outdoors year-round.  Think exposure to the sun, rain and snow.  

In my book, the big differentiator between organic and conventional milk is the issue of GMOs and grazing access.  If these two issues are important to you, then by all means chose what makes your conscious happy.  In Crazyville, we purchase both.  Conventional milk for growing brains and organic milk for school. Huh? Organics Brand offers a shelf stable milk that gets sent to school. The food lines are to long for my 7 year old who is a slow eater.  To give her a fighting chance to finish her food at lunch time, I send her with milk.  The shelf stable organic milk is double the price of what the school sells but I know she will get her milk and have enough time to eat.  

Interesting tidbit, no matter if your milk is conventional or organic, visit: milk code and see how far it traveled to your local store.  For bonus points, compare two brands of the same milk product.  You might be surprised to see the more expensive brand has the same processing facility as the store brand.  This site works on drinking milk and most milk products including yogurt, cheese and sour cream.

At the Dean's facility, the assembly line had several milk labels for the same milk.  It was interesting to see the Dean's label right next to several Chicagoland grocery store's private labels.    

So, what does your house serve?  Conventional, organic or both?  Do you serve organic for the two main reasons above?  

Sharon, The Mayor


The above opinions are mine, but I was compensated by the Illinois Farm Families for my expenses.