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What is Organic Milk?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 12,025
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Organic milk is milk taken from cattle and other milk animals which have been raised in accordance with organic standards. Tests conducted on organic and conventionally produced milk have shown no noticeable nutritional or safety differences between the two, with consumers opting for organic milk over conventional milk for a variety of reasons, ranging from ethical concerns to perceived taste differences. Many markets carry organic milk and other organic dairy products, or can order them by request for customers.

Several criteria must be met for animals which produce milk certified as organic. The animals must eat feed which has been raised in accordance with organic principles, which means that it should not be treated with pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Organic milk can come from animals grazing on grass, or animals eating hay and grain, as long as the fodder is organic.

Additionally, organic animals must have access to pasture. There has been some controversy about this requirement, as for consumers it conjures up the idea of a herd of animals wandering freely across a lush green pastures, while for farmers it may simply mean that a small pasture area is maintained outside the barn, and a door is left open periodically so that the animals have the option of reaching it. Likewise, animals can be rotated between pasture and barn and still considered organic, as can animals kept confined on feedlots which may lack natural grass, but could still be considered “pasture.”

The animals cannot be treated with antibiotics for their milk to be considered organic, and if an animal is given antibiotics to treat a health condition, there is a waiting period before her milk will be organic. Organic cows also cannot be given bovine growth hormone (BGH) or recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to stimulate milk production.

The dairy industry argues that there are few quality differences between organic milk and conventional milk. The flavors of both can vary widely, depending on what the animals eat, and the safety of both is assured through tests which are designed to identify contaminants in milk. However, some consumers feel that organic products are more ethical, because they associate organic means of production with humane treatment of animals, and others may be opposed to the use of chemicals in agriculture, opting for products made without these chemicals to send a message to the agriculture industry.

Consumers should be aware that organic milk is often more expensive than conventional milk, and that due to the fact that the organic standards are vague, the ethical differences between organic and conventional milk are sometimes very small indeed.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By Raynbow — On Oct 04, 2014

@spotiche5- You definitely should give organic milk a try. Though it is more costly than basic milk, the price has gone down over the years. Most chain grocery stores now have their own brand or organic milk as well, which is usually much cheaper than organic brands.

By Ocelot60 — On Oct 03, 2014

@spotiche5- I have been drinking organic milk for many years, and I can tell you that the flavor is fresh and delicious. I think that it is worth the extra cost for the clean, crisp taste.

I discovered organic milk because I have relatives that are organic dairy farmers. They explained the process, and why the milk has a better taste due to the lack of chemicals needed to process it. They also told me that the cost is more because addiction care and supplies are needed for the cows to live and eat organically so they produce organic milk.

Trust me, organic milk is worth the extra cost and I think you will agree when you taste it.

By Spotiche5 — On Oct 02, 2014

I have never bothered to taste organic milk because I figured that the extra cost isn't worth it. But I have been told that the flavor is much better than regular milk. Does anyone have some thoughts about this? What is the difference in the flavor?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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