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FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. -- No more twice-a-month hormone injections for the milk cows in Duane and Joyce Hill's dairy herd.
The milk the Hills ship to Smith Dairy now complies with the company's request that its dairy farmers stop using recombinant bovine somatotropin. Smith Dairy was one of the last processors to require the change, Joyce Hill said recently.
The hormone boosts a cow's milk production and extends the time she'll give milk. Given every two weeks, the shots cost $6.50 each.
Without rbST, the Thomas' 48 cows are producing about 500 pounds less milk each day, a loss of about $700 a week in revenue.
"That's quite a bit of money," Hill said.
Outlawing rbST in milk is industry-wide and consumer-driven, said Greg Janzow, vice president and general manager of Smith Dairy's Richmond plant.
"FDA studies show no identifying difference between milk with the hormone and without and through other studies, I would say likewise," Janzow said. "But consumer groups don't want anything artificial in their milk."
Meijer announced recently that Meijer-brand milk comes from cows not treated with rbST.
"Our customers have asked for a different choice in their milk, as many prefer it from cows that have not been treated with artificial growth hormones," said Ralph Fischer, Meijer group vice president.
"We've researched the topic and have listened to our customers. This move is not a reaction to any health concerns. It's a decision to give our customers what they want."
Richmond shopper Carmen Linderman said she first learned about hormone-free milk in a Meijer ad.
"I think I feel better about it. It makes a difference, especially because I have grandchildren," Linderman said.
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