One of the many arguments regarding different types of milk is the one of organic milk versus regular milk. The healthier of the two is debated widely while most ponder on the reason behind the price difference.
Milk from cows that have not been fed grain that contain pesticides is what is referred to as organic milk. These cows have also not been given any bovine growth hormones or antibiotics. In case antibiotics have been given, those cows are separated from the rest of the herd.
Regular milk is derived from cows that have been given bovine growth hormones – to accentuate milk production. Their food – hay and grain – has probably been treated with insecticides. Antibiotics are used to treat injured or sick cows.
What is important to take into consideration is that even though these cows are given antibiotics and hormones, standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) state that traces of antibiotics cannot be found in the milk produced. Dairy farm milk tanks are checked regularly to ensure that standards are upheld.
The cost of organic milk and regular milk differs. Organic milk will cost you around $5 per gallon while regular milk is $3.50. Organic milk is more expensive as the resources needed to grow organic feed and hay for the cows is much more. Care given to cows producing organic milk is high, as the use of antibiotics is not an option.
In terms of health benefits, organic milk is the healthier option as it contains no chemicals, pesticides or preservatives. Bovine growth hormones have been linked to many adverse health conditions – thus making the extra $1.50 spent on organic milk a worthwhile expenditure.