Well, there’s plenty of debate over this question. There are oodles of research and sites with opinions and discussions and disagreements over what is real, what is embellished and what is pure fiction. It’s mind boggling, to say the least.
I will first say ‘yes’, I do buy only organic milk. It costs a lot more and that is a price I am, personally, willing to pay because I have children that drink it daily (although I have debated, in my own mind, whether cow’s milk is necessary at all). Organic milk does give me a greater peace of mind for many reasons. These are the things I have learned that have helped me reach this decision:
Naturally-fed cows, with a better quality of life, produce a higher quality of milk – it is shown to contain more antioxidants, vitamin E, omega-3 and beta carotene.
Organic milk cows cannot have bovine growth hormone (BGH) administered, which is used to increase milk production. By forcing cows to produce an abnormally high volume of milk, they are prone to painful udder infections. Bacteria from the infection flows right along with the milk and pasteurization does NOT remove it (this nauseates me)… and then isn’t the hormone stillpresent too?…
Some research also shows that consumption of non-organic milk, that may contain hormones, can cause early puberty in children (this scares me to no end… again, I have children drinking it. I was most effected by studies of Hispanic homes, where the consumption of milk is not nearly as prevalent, and this evidence of early puberty does not exist).
Organic milk cows do not have high residues of pesticides and fertilizers transferred to the milk from genetically modified feed, as does milk from non-organic cows.
Organic diary farming requires a higher standard for the well-being of the cows and they must receive time “at pasture” instead of a lifetime of confinement (the animal-loving part of me has a hard time overlooking this as well… look at that face!).
Let’s presume that all of the facts are false… what have I lost? Some extra money, that’s it. But then… what if some or ALL of them are true? The consequences for that seem a lot more costly than money to me.
If the price were the same, wouldn’t you choose organic? You decide.
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You know, Doreen: the other issue is antibiotics. When you eat organic, grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free meat and drink milk produced from these cows, you keep antibiotics working.
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/solutions/wise_antibiotics/
Believe me, I almost died from septic shock due to antibiotic resistance when I was seventeen. I am severely antibiotic resistant from overexposure as a young child, and so, I only buy organic dairy and meat products for this reason alone.
Kindly,
Elaine
Elaine – you’re absolutely right… that is a point I missed, and thank you so much for sharing it!
Doreen: I am with you 100% on this one. I have found that in our area the organic milk is often CHEAPER than regular milk. I firmly believe that the hormones that have been pumped into cows have been ingested by our children and have led to earlier menstruation in young girls, etc. Thanks for another great post!
have a great week! Cheers, Kimberly
Kimberly – well, color me jealous! Organic cheaper than non-organic?!… oh, how I wish!
But from all of the things I have read and heard, that is a price I am going to pay! … especially with a daughter! Thanks for your comment and have a great week too!
Doreen: I totally agree with you! We recently made the switch to organic milk for many of the reasons you highlighted but also because it just flat out tastes better than the non-organic variety.
Cole – it’s true… happy / healthy cows = a better product… it seems pretty logical, doesn’t it!
My daughter happens to be sensitive to dairy, so we she does not get milk at all- even if she were not I do not think cows milk is necessary- this idea is pushed by marketing campaigns. if calcium is an issue, look to foods (not dairy based) you will be surprised how many foods contain calcium- and it is even more easily assimilated http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=1440.
Great tips on your site! I am talking about this on my website and giving away free books (and other gifts) the challenge is to help moms live more simply, green- and save money (all you have to do is leave a comment, the winner is picked at random)! Today I am giving away Feeding The Whole Family By Cynthia Lair
you can find the giveaway here authenticmama.com
Angie – thanks for the great references and directing us to your site! Best to you!
Well put! I couldn’t agree more! And these days, it’s about $1.00 more where I live, so really, it’s a no brainer!
Frannie – an absolute no-brainer in my world!
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