I am really dating myself here but I remember when cassette tapes were new. Cassettes came before the CD but after the 8 track. At the time the Memorex company had a series of commercials that asked, “Is it live or is it Memorex?” They featured Ella Fitzgerald singing behind a barrier. You were asked if it was live or recorded on Memorex cassettes. <br>
The last line of the commercial stated that their tape was so good you could not tell if it was live or recorded, a claim that sounds ludicrous in our modern age of digital recording. Dairy producers are asking a similar question when it comes to the labeling of milk produced with rBST.<br>
Ever since its introduction rBST, a naturally occurring protein used to increase milk production in dairy cows, has been controversial. When Monsanto first brought the technology to the market, it was the smaller dairy producers who opposed it saying it would put them out of business. <br>
The use of the product is still causing controversy today although, ironically, it is the small producer who is now calling for its continued use. Large retailers, however, have discovered if they label their milk “hormone free” they can sell it for an increased price. Thus, they are pressing dairymen to not use the BST product and, in some cases, even sign an affidavit stating their milk is BST free. The only problem with this is that there is no way to tell if milk is BST free or not.<br>
First, let me state for the record that milk produced with BST has been approved as safe by the FDA. The scientific community has stated for years that there is no measurable difference between milk produced with BST and milk produced without it. The use of this technology has also been cleared as safe for cows by USDA. Second, there is no test available today that can detect if milk came from a BST cow or not. These facts are leading some dairy producers to ask why some milk should have this label and why dairy producers should be forced to sign an affidavit that cannot be verified.<br>
Last week, the Indiana House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 1300 that would prevent milk from being labeled “hormone free.” The small hearing room was packed with dairy farmers supporting the legislation. <br>
The lawmakers were a little fuzzy on the science behind this issue, but were totally unprepared for the passion and pride of Hoosier dairy producers, especially a couple of dairy producer’s wives. Millie Troxler, from LaPorte County, brought a variety of milk cartons to show lawmakers the labeling practice. <br>
She piled them upon the committee table and, with great fortitude, lectured the lawmakers. Susan Troyer, a mother and dairy producer in Elkhart County, described how they use BST on their small dairy farm. <br>
She explained that this technology is size neutral, meaning it works as well for small producers as for large operations. Troyer said it has allowed her farm to add longevity to their herd and keep some of their cows in production as long as 10 years. <br>
The producers made a powerful case, and the bill was passed by the committee unanimously.<br>
Food labels are becoming a bigger and bigger battleground.
More and more information about what goes into the product or how the product was produced are showing up on the label, either by law or by choice. It seems to me some basic rules are needed for what can and can not be put on a label. If the product is changed in some way by the process or ingredient, then a label is justified. <br>
If certain measurable benefits are derived by an additive or production process, then a label is justified. <br>
But when one product is exactly the same by any and all measurable methods, then a special label is not justified.
To me, this is the case with rBST milk. With Memorex tape it was easy to tell if it was “live or Memorex.” With rBST, milk is milk.<br>

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this publication.