There’s been a lot of news recently about rBST or rBGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone.) At Brown Cow, we will not knowingly purchase or use milk from cows treated with the artificial growth hormone.

But what is rBGH? Bovine Growth Hormone is a natural protein produced by the pituitary gland of cattle. The hormone has a variety of effects including the stimulation of milk production. However, the gene responsible for natural production of Bovine Growth Hormone in cattle has been isolated, genetically modified, and transferred into bacterial cells to produce the genetically engineered Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).

rBGH is not used for any therapeutic purpose in animals. It is used simply to increase milk production in cows. On the surface, increasing milk production sounds like a good thing. But in actuality, it can have serious consequences, namely.

• Jeopardizing animal health. In January 1999, a panel of animal-health experts, appointed by the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association to study the hormone, reported that there are legitimate animal-welfare concerns associated with the use of rBGH. These concerns include increased mastitis (an infection of the udder), lameness and a reduction in the life span of treated cows. The panel found that the hormone resulted in a 25 percent increase in udder infections and a 50 percent increase in the risk of lameness. In addition to animal welfare concerns, the increased mastitis rates would cause heavy reliance on antibiotics for treatment. This could result in new strains of antibiotic-resistant forms of the infection.
  
• Jeopardizing family farms. Think about it. Increased milk supply generally leads to a drop in the price paid to farmers, which is rarely passed on to the consumer. In that sense, the widespread use of rBGH could have a devastating impact on the economic well-being of family farmers … perhaps putting many out of business.
  
• Unknown effects on humans. There are no long-term studies on the effects of rBGH on humans, although many consumer advocates argue a risk exists. At Brown Cow, we believe that adverse affects of bio-engineered foods may not be known for decades to come. And frankly, we are not willing to take that risk

Happily, alternatives do exist. Through sound animal husbandry, superior nutritional programs, and maintaining meticulous hygiene, dairy farmers can maximize milk production in their herds … without having to resort to rBGH. For example, improving living conditions for cows reduces stress and decreases the likelihood of disease. Besides being a more humane way to raise dairy cows, such care can actually increase milk production.

We at Brown Cow support these and other efforts and agricultural innovations that promote sustainable farming practices, improve conditions for dairy animals, protect our environment, hold up to a strict code of social responsibility, and ensure that our yogurt remains a wholesome, entirely natural treat.