Rebel Farmer

Interesting interview with farmer and political contrarian Joel Salatin, from Mother Earth News.

Some of what he says makes sense, though I think he takes a rather unfair swipe at vegetarians. In my 35 years, I  have only met one vegetarian who was sickly because of their vegetarian diet. The person had shifted to being vegan without really taking into account what was needed to make that a healthy lifestyle.

Rejecting rBGH Foods

Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) is a genetically engineered form of Bovine somatotropin, which is administered to dairy cattle in order to increase production. It is marketed under the name Posilac by Monsanto, an agri-business giant (the same company produces Roundup to control weeds, another product I no longer use).

The use of rBGH is what prompted us to start buying organic foods, especially milk, which our young daughter consumes in large amounts. The price difference is really negligible.

Currently the United States is the only Western nation that allows rBGH to be used. The European Union, Australia, Japan and Canada have outlawed its use due to adverse side effects in both the cattle who receive the injections and in people who consume the milk. Cows that receive the steroid injections are productive for only half as long as a cow that is raised naturally; they are more likely to suffer infections and thus need antibiotics, which are passed along in milk; are more likely to suffer from mastis (swelling of the utters); digestive problems; birth defects (including underdeveloped legs and hoofs).

Humans are at an increased risk of cancer, antibiotic resistance, and early onset of puberty (especially in girls).

As is typical, our government agencies act in the best interest of corporations, not on behalf of the people.  As recently as 2007, the State of Pennsylvania made it illegal to advertise milk as rBGH free, striking a blow to free speech and liberty everywhere. (Note: the decision was reversed earlier this year, allowing labeling and advertising of rBGH free products) The best way to fight this sort of corporate bullying is through consumer pressure, which has led to the decrease in use of rBGH. The Organic Consumer Association lists the following companies that have gone either partially or fully rBGH free:

Top rBGH & rBST-Free Processors

1. Dean Foods ( P)
5. Kroger (C) (as of 2/08)
6. Dairy Farmers of America (P)
7. HP Hood (P)
11. Darigold (P)
12. Prairie Farms Dairy (C) (as of 2/08)
14. National Dairy Holdings (P)
16. California Dairies, Inc. (C)
18. Safeway Dairy Group (P)
30. Publix Super Markets (C)
42. Tillamook County Creamery Assoc. (P)
43. Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. (C)
53. Stonyfield Farm, Inc. (C)
58. Michigan Milk Producers Assoc. (C) (as of 2/08)
59. Wilcox Farms (C)
72. BelGioioso Cheese Inc. (C)
73. Cloverland/Green Spring Dairy (C)
74. Smith Dairy Products (C)
85. Oakhurst Dairy (C)
88. Wawa Dairy (C)
92. Joseph Gallo Farms (C)
97. Oberweis Dairy Inc. (C)

Number: Rank by total dairy sales (2006)
P: Partially rBGH-free
C: Completely rBGH-free

If you can’t find organic milk, at least try and find rBGH milk from one of the above sources. Starbucks and Chipotle have also gotten on the bandwagon. Ben and Jerry’s (producers of my favorite ice cream flavor) have long been rBGH free.

By continuing to put pressure on companies to stop using this dangerous product, we can hopefully eliminate it from the market.