Synthetic growth hormones

Organic standards prohibit the use of growth hormones. U.S. government regulations permit hormone use in conventional livestock operations to increase the size or rate of gain of animals raised for meat, or to stimulate production of animal products like milk.

Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) is a synthetic hormone administered to the cow by injection and used to increase milk production. This is bad for dairy cows, because it stresses their bodies and burns them out in three or four years. It can also cause a long list of medical problems, including reproductive complications, lameness, pus in the milk, and higher rates of udder infections that are routinely treated with powerful antibiotics.

rBGH is already prohibited in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the 27 countries of the European Union.

Rather than go for short-term gain, organic dairy farmers promote the long-term health of their animals, which keeps them producing milk for a long time. This is good for the farmer, the land, and the consumer.