Organic milk is experiencing a significant rise in revenue as more consumers are willing to spend money on products they believe are healthier and safer for their families. While the industry faces scrutiny for inconsistent practices among organic sellers, organic milk farmers are benefiting from increased profits, even as they disagree among themselves about the proper treatment of organic milk cows. Priced at two to three times higher than regular milk, organic milk presents under-informed buyers with a tough decision: Are the benefits of organic milk worth the cost, or is the organic label just a way to increase revenue without offering added benefits to consumers?
The USDA Guidelines for Organic Milk
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has established guidelines for organic milk production based on four basic principles. First, organic milk must come from cows not treated with rBGH (bovine growth hormone), commonly used in conventional dairy farming to boost milk production. Additionally, cows must be kept free from antibiotic use. If a member of an organic herd requires antibiotics due to illness, that cow can be treated but must be kept separate from the organic herd for a full year. Third, the cows’ feed must be grown without pesticides—most cows eat either grasses or grains, both of which must be produced through organic farming. The use of organic feed may also help support organic farming practices by increasing demand for such products. Finally, cows must have the opportunity to graze freely in pastures during the growing season. Currently, the exact amount of required grazing time is unspecified, which has led to controversy within the organic dairy community. Some larger producers provide only limited grazing time for their cows, keeping them in feedlots for most of the year.
Though the health benefits of organic milk are hotly debated, research from the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research found that organic milk contains higher levels of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants compared to conventional milk. Studies indicated that milk from organic cows had vitamin E levels 50% higher, and 2 to 3 times more beta-carotene and antioxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are believed to help ward off infections and diseases. This study concluded that the increased nutritional benefits were largely due to organic cows being allowed to graze freely on grass rather than being confined to holding pens or feedlots.
While many consumers choose organic milk to avoid antibiotics and growth hormones, fears are often based on speculation rather than facts. rBGH is a protein hormone that would be digested in a human’s gut, if present in milk. This hormone increases levels of a specific growth factor (IGF-1) in cows; however, IGF-1 levels are only slightly higher in milk from rBGH-treated cows compared to non-rBGH cows. Although high IGF-1 levels in humans are associated with an increased risk of cancer, humans produce more IGF-1 through saliva and digestive secretions each day than could be ingested from 95 quarts of conventional milk. Elevated IGF levels are more closely linked to obesity and diets high in saturated fats. Moreover, conventional milk is routinely tested for antibiotics before it reaches the marketplace; any milk showing antibiotic residues is not sold. The real difference in organic milk comes from the cows’ ability to graze freely on organic grasses.
Unfortunately, purchasing organic milk does not guarantee that it comes from cows that graze on open pastures. Roughly 30% of organic milk sold originates from confinement dairies, where cows receive very little pasture time. Many organic farmers and milk drinkers are advocating for stricter USDA guidelines regarding the amount of pasture time that must be allotted to organic cows, so that all organic milk is produced under consistent conditions. Some smaller local dairy farms that are not certified organic may allow their cows to graze on pasture, so purchasing milk from a local farmer might be a good option to ensure your family benefits from the higher nutrient content of grass-fed cows.
Now accounting for 3% of the entire milk market in the United States, organic milk has an annual growth rate of 23%, even as total milk consumption declines by 8% each year. It is available in many large grocery chains, including Walmart. However, not all organic milk is created equal; some farms use less-than-ideal methods to produce their organic milk, narrowly meeting vague USDA regulations. If you’re genuinely interested in buying the healthiest milk available, check if any local dairy farmers sell their milk nearby, and inquire about their farming practices—you can support local growers while possibly obtaining healthier milk at a lower cost. If that’s not an option, research the organic milk brands available in your supermarket. Find out which one employs the best production practices and choose that brand; until the USDA establishes stricter guidelines for organic milk producers, consumers must do their research and choose wisely when purchasing organic milk.
