Organic milk standards have been a little shady at times. That is why if you have been choosing organic milk for health benefits, you need to be really informed about where your milk comes from and what might or might not be in it. A new rule in the United States may make choosing organic milk a lot easier, as well as boost the organic milk industry.
When did milk become organic?
Perhaps a better question might be when did dairy farmers start using hormones, antibiotics and manufactured feed for their cows. But to give it all a timeline, the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic food rules first took place in 2000. At that time, vague requirements stated that the cows must have “access to pasture.” This could be interpreted as walking along a small grass field on the way from the stall to the milking facility.
But the new tougher standard actually lays out a specific requirement, that cows must get at least 30 percent of their food from grazing. Farmers have a year to meet the requirement.
The results of the rule
As a result of this new rule, you can have a little more assurance that your milk is closer to being as organic as it claims. This may boost the organic milk industry as jaded consumers may be more willing to pay organic milk’s higher prices. Smaller, local farmers may benefit the most. It is usually the smaller farms that are already practicing good grazing of up to 60 percent, easily meeting the requirements. Out near me in Lancaster County, it is unusual not to see milk cows grazing day in and day out. It is actually cheaper for the farmers to allow their cows to graze than it is for them to buy commercial feed.