Hormone Free Milk in 2007

Growth hormones are the topic of discussion in the dairy producing business. As a synthetic product, growth hormones are a common component among the production of animal based products. Once such product, milk, is receiving increasing attention due to the use of synthetic growth hormone to increase the level of milk production by diary cows. While the production, generally, is only increased by 15 percent, many dairy producers continue to use the growth hormone as an opportunity to boost production and reach demand requirements. Unfortunately, this demand has reached an all time low with supplies of milk in abundance. As a result, many dairy producers are searching for methods to improve milk quality so as to create a new market demand.

Cow's milk has long been injected with synthetic hormone supplements to improve the quality of the milk product. One such hormone, the synthetic Bovine Growth Hormone, also known as rBGH, has been injected into dairy cows for decades. The rBGH stimulates the production of milk in cows, thereby increasing production for the dairy producer. Unfortunately, without a scientific method for testing the implications of rBGH, many dairy producers are now turning to a market in which an "organic" styled milk will be produced and sold, at a higher price, labeled as hormone free milk without any real scientifically based difference in the milk product. To the consumer, there may not be a net difference in the end milk product however the consumer will feel the impact to their wallet when purchasing hormone free milk.

With the growing demand for hormone free milk, dairy producers, in 2007, are anticipated to begin producing a milk free of rBGH. With the end milk product anticipated to be sold at a much higher cost than that of traditional milk, some dairy producers are skeptical about the popularity of the new milk product. In fact, demand for hormone free milk has become so increasing popular among consumer advocacy groups that merchants like Starbucks are now stating they will provide hormone free dairy products, in their own products, in 2007.