Guest guest Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I have been quietly lurking on the list since last April, and decided it is time for me to speak up and say hello. I really am learning a lot. This is one of the most friendly and helpful lists I am on. There are so many knowledgeable people on this list that I am not sure I will ever have as much to contribute as I have to learn! So, by way of an intro: I am 44 and married for 21 years as of last Friday, to a wonderful dairy farmer who wooed me out of the city and clear across the country. I am a homeschooling mother of 5 children (4 daughters, 1 son) and grandmother of 4 little girls. I have been interested in and learning about herbs since I was a youngster. Been learning about eo's for a little while now - but still consider myself a real beginner in that area. I have been selling a simple calendula salve I make for 3 years now, at a living history museum I work for part time. I have taught a couple beginner classes on " how to use those herbs you have growing in your yard " . I make and use my own infusions of calendula, St John's Wort, plantain, comfrey, etc. Have also made one successful batch of a coffee soap a year ago, though was not thrilled with the smell...smelled kinda like dog food to me! It was great fun making it, and everyone loved it that tried it. I guess I am the only one who objected to the smell. I am hoping to make more soap soon. The recent post from Jill brought me out of hiding. I have to say, I think you are on the right track Jill! But, I can not agree with you that MOST commercial dairy farms use bST/rbGH (bovine somatotropin/recombinant bovine growth hormone). We NEVER have used it (or fed ANY kind of hormones - as my husband says, " we get more like the Amish every day! " ) and I personally know many others who never have used it either. I will tell you that although around 80% of dairy farmers used it when it first came out, usage of bST/rbGH began dropping within 1 month of it's release and is now only around 20%. Supplies are extremely limited now, and it is anticipated to completely die out soon. Not soon enough for me! Most farmers reasons for quitting it's use are that it caused serious reproductive/breed-back or other cattle health problems, and that it was neither cost effective nor did it bring the increased yeilds Monsanto promised. I have been involved locally with the fight against it's use since before " Posilac " (the commercial name for it) was released for use in March of 1993. There have been many geneticists and other scientists testifying to various authorities on the lack of safety data beyond 90 day " human trials " (read rats), as early as 1990. The safety data showed significant growth in male rat bone growth within 2 weeks on that short 28 day trial, but Monsanto called that insignificant. I have actively boycotted Monsanto (which is difficult as they are into just about everything!) since I first began learning about this issue, and will continue until it is gone from the market. The FDA approved this drug and it is the same as the situation with the Vioxx, etc. They never should have approved it. All this is not to say that I believe the milk supply in the US is unsafe. I don't. I believe we have the safest and " purest " food supplies in the world. Aside from the hormone issue - which is unsafe - milk is tested for antibiotics, etc. for each semi tank load, and for each farm on every route. If any antibiotics are found, the whole truckload has to be dumped and the farm responsible has to pay for the whole load. I am told the tests they use looking for antibiotic residue can detect 1 drop of antibiotics in Lake Superior. That is pretty sensitive. In addition, random tests are done on milk in the stores. In years past, some inspections have found milk on store shelves that contained some small amounts of antibiotics. I certainly do not hear everything, but the few I have ever heard about are not recent and are not usually local companies, but a result of NAFTA allowing milk in from other countries without the same food safety standards as the US. A whole 'nuther issue, for a different list! Okay, I have rambled on enough for my first time out of lurkdom, so I am getting off my soap box and quickly ducking now! Deanna >_______________________________ > > > Tue, 7 Dec 2004 12:22:25 -0800 (PST) > Jill McDanal <birthmamajill >OT: Milk > >Did anyone see a news story yesterday (it may have just been local. I don't watch the news on a regular basis anyway, so I can't say for sure! Sometimes the TV is just on for a ramble in the background) - about drinking more than 1 glass a day of milk ups the risk of OVARIAN CANCER in women? The reporter said that it was from some acid compound, I didn't take notes. I went Um okay, so the Bovine Growth Hormones that are given to cows by most all commerical dairy farms has NOTHING to do with this? HA! They have been giving cows this for a number of years, and now this research is surfacing, but I do belive they are looking in the wrong place. > >Of course, I could be wrong... > >Jill Mc. >Alabama > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Welcome and thanks for the wonderful education. I have a daughter that lives in WI and I knew that WI doesn't allow the use of the hormone in their milk, but I had no idea it wasn't being used very much. This is wonderful news. Thank you for all the info Rita Deanna Berkemeier <deanna wrote: I have been quietly lurking on the list since last April, and decided it is time for me to speak up and say hello. I really am learning a lot. This is one of the most friendly and helpful lists I am on. There are so many knowledgeable people on this list that I am not sure I will ever have as much to contribute as I have to learn! So, by way of an intro: I am 44 and married for 21 years as of last Friday, to a wonderful dairy farmer who wooed me out of the city and clear across the country. I am a homeschooling mother of 5 children (4 daughters, 1 son) and grandmother of 4 little girls. I have been interested in and learning about herbs since I was a youngster. Been learning about eo's for a little while now - but still consider myself a real beginner in that area. I have been selling a simple calendula salve I make for 3 years now, at a living history museum I work for part time. I have taught a couple beginner classes on " how to use those herbs you have growing in your yard " . I make and use my own infusions of calendula, St John's Wort, plantain, comfrey, etc. Have also made one successful batch of a coffee soap a year ago, though was not thrilled with the smell...smelled kinda like dog food to me! It was great fun making it, and everyone loved it that tried it. I guess I am the only one who objected to the smell. I am hoping to make more soap soon. The recent post from Jill brought me out of hiding. I have to say, I think you are on the right track Jill! But, I can not agree with you that MOST commercial dairy farms use bST/rbGH (bovine somatotropin/recombinant bovine growth hormone). We NEVER have used it (or fed ANY kind of hormones - as my husband says, " we get more like the Amish every day! " ) and I personally know many others who never have used it either. I will tell you that although around 80% of dairy farmers used it when it first came out, usage of bST/rbGH began dropping within 1 month of it's release and is now only around 20%. Supplies are extremely limited now, and it is anticipated to completely die out soon. Not soon enough for me! Most farmers reasons for quitting it's use are that it caused serious reproductive/breed-back or other cattle health problems, and that it was neither cost effective nor did it bring the increased yeilds Monsanto promised. I have been involved locally with the fight against it's use since before " Posilac " (the commercial name for it) was released for use in March of 1993. There have been many geneticists and other scientists testifying to various authorities on the lack of safety data beyond 90 day " human trials " (read rats), as early as 1990. The safety data showed significant growth in male rat bone growth within 2 weeks on that short 28 day trial, but Monsanto called that insignificant. I have actively boycotted Monsanto (which is difficult as they are into just about everything!) since I first began learning about this issue, and will continue until it is gone from the market. The FDA approved this drug and it is the same as the situation with the Vioxx, etc. They never should have approved it. All this is not to say that I believe the milk supply in the US is unsafe. I don't. I believe we have the safest and " purest " food supplies in the world. Aside from the hormone issue - which is unsafe - milk is tested for antibiotics, etc. for each semi tank load, and for each farm on every route. If any antibiotics are found, the whole truckload has to be dumped and the farm responsible has to pay for the whole load. I am told the tests they use looking for antibiotic residue can detect 1 drop of antibiotics in Lake Superior. That is pretty sensitive. In addition, random tests are done on milk in the stores. In years past, some inspections have found milk on store shelves that contained some small amounts of antibiotics. I certainly do not hear everything, but the few I have ever heard about are not recent and are not usually local companies, but a result of NAFTA allowing milk in from other countries without the same food safety standards as the US. A whole 'nuther issue, for a different list! Okay, I have rambled on enough for my first time out of lurkdom, so I am getting off my soap box and quickly ducking now! Deanna >_______________________________ > > > Tue, 7 Dec 2004 12:22:25 -0800 (PST) > Jill McDanal <birthmamajill >OT: Milk > >Did anyone see a news story yesterday (it may have just been local. I don't watch the news on a regular basis anyway, so I can't say for sure! Sometimes the TV is just on for a ramble in the background) - about drinking more than 1 glass a day of milk ups the risk of OVARIAN CANCER in women? The reporter said that it was from some acid compound, I didn't take notes. I went Um okay, so the Bovine Growth Hormones that are given to cows by most all commerical dairy farms has NOTHING to do with this? HA! They have been giving cows this for a number of years, and now this research is surfacing, but I do belive they are looking in the wrong place. > >Of course, I could be wrong... > >Jill Mc. >Alabama > > Step By Step Instructions On Making Rose Petal Preserves: http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html To adjust your group settings (i.e. go no mail) see the following link: /join Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Hi Deanna! Here, we ONLY have one local commerical dairy that does NOT use the BGH. They are also the only ones that do not grain feed their cattle. Their cows are all grassfed (which is kinda cool) they also do not " homogenize " their milk. I can tell a huge difference when I have their milk as opposed to other local milk. They have a website www.wrightdairy.com - they are about 42 miles from my house. Their milk is acutally less than what the stores sell other milk for. They don't have a large distribution, other than Anniston, so if we want it, I have to go after it. " we get more like the amish everyday " AMEN! If most of us got more like the amish, less of us would have major health issues! Glad to know there are other responsible farmers out there who strive to end the use of potentially harmful substances in our food supplies! Kudos to you! Jill Mc. Alabama The all-new My – What will yours do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Jill: I went and looked at their site. I wish it were closer because I'd love to visit. I'm in Alabama too. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. Blessings, Debbie Alabama - " Jill McDanal " <birthmamajill Wednesday, December 08, 2004 08:56 PM Re: Intro and OT: Milk Hi Deanna! Here, we ONLY have one local commerical dairy that does NOT use the BGH. They are also the only ones that do not grain feed their cattle. Their cows are all grassfed (which is kinda cool) they also do not " homogenize " their milk. I can tell a huge difference when I have their milk as opposed to other local milk. They have a website www.wrightdairy.com - they are about 42 miles from my house. Their milk is acutally less than what the stores sell other milk for. They don't have a large distribution, other than Anniston, so if we want it, I have to go after it. " we get more like the amish everyday " AMEN! If most of us got more like the amish, less of us would have major health issues! Glad to know there are other responsible farmers out there who strive to end the use of potentially harmful substances in our food supplies! Kudos to you! Jill Mc. Alabama The all-new My - What will yours do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 I stand corrected - from the Wrightdairy site: (we were there in early fall, when there was NO grain feeding - grass was nice and green up until about a month ago) Our cows are primarily grass-fed, and supplemented with some grain. Milk from grass-fed cows has more CLA, Omega-3 fatty acids ( " good fat " ), beta-carotene, and other antioxidant vitamins than milk from primarily grain-fed cows. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is an anti-carcinogen (cancer fighter) in your body. Grass-fed cows produce milk with a naturally sweet taste, like the milk that many of our older customers grew up on. Grass-fed cows are also cleaner, healthier, and happier, and our farm is much more environment-friendly than the typical feedlot-type dairy. Where are you Debbie? It is really worth the trip - just one time. My kids LOVE to go. We get to see the cows up close. Last fall (we were there then too) they had a set of TRIPLETS born - very unusual. They were so cute. Mom had them really close upto the fence. They saw the new calves and went to help them out (they were " smallish " and couldn't nurse well) Hope you have a great holiday season too! Jill Mc. Alabama Debbie White <debbie.white wrote: All your favorites on one personal page – Try My Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Hi Jill: I'm in Montgomery. I think David said it was about two or two and a half hours from Anniston. We may have to go visit one day and take the grandchildren. They'd love that....at least our granddaughter would (she's seven). Wow, I bet you did have a neat trip the day you were there with three calves being born. Debbie Alabama - " Jill McDanal " <birthmamajill Wednesday, December 08, 2004 09:15 PM Re: Intro and OT: Milk I stand corrected - from the Wrightdairy site: (we were there in early fall, when there was NO grain feeding - grass was nice and green up until about a month ago) Our cows are primarily grass-fed, and supplemented with some grain. Milk from grass-fed cows has more CLA, Omega-3 fatty acids ( " good fat " ), beta-carotene, and other antioxidant vitamins than milk from primarily grain-fed cows. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is an anti-carcinogen (cancer fighter) in your body. Grass-fed cows produce milk with a naturally sweet taste, like the milk that many of our older customers grew up on. Grass-fed cows are also cleaner, healthier, and happier, and our farm is much more environment-friendly than the typical feedlot-type dairy. Where are you Debbie? It is really worth the trip - just one time. My kids LOVE to go. We get to see the cows up close. Last fall (we were there then too) they had a set of TRIPLETS born - very unusual. They were so cute. Mom had them really close upto the fence. They saw the new calves and went to help them out (they were " smallish " and couldn't nurse well) Hope you have a great holiday season too! Jill Mc. Alabama Debbie White <debbie.white wrote: All your favorites on one personal page - Try My Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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