Dairy farming

Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or more properly, an enterprise, raising female cattle for long-term production of milk, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy for processing and eventual retail sale. Most dairy farms sell the male calves borne by their cows, usually for veal production, rather than raising non-milk-producing stock. Many dairy farms also grow their own feed, typically including corn, alfalfa, and hay. This is fed directly to the cows, or stored as silage for use during the winter season. Additional dietary supplements are added to the feed to increase quality milk production.

Use of hormones and antibiotics

In the US in many farms, cows are given growth hormones (known as "BST" or "rBGH") to increase milk production. It is also common to include antibiotics in the animals' feed, to reduce disease and the transmission of infection arising from the use of Posilac (rBGH) as well as the close quarters in which dairy cattle are typically housed http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Labeling_Issues%2C_Revolving_Doors%2C_rBGH%2C_Bribery_and_Monsanto. Both of these practices are controversial and prohibited under organic farming codes of conduct. In Europe, use of BST is strictly forbidden as well as application of antibiotics for preventive measures.

Related Topics:
Growth hormone - BST - Antibiotic - Organic farming - Europe

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