Another day on organics. Only because I ran across an even bigger section in the healthy foods area at our grocery store. Something I had forgotten all about at first…
The meats, milks, and eggs. Now, how I could have forgotten those staple items I have no idea. I normally don’t venture into this section unless I am looking for something gluten free for my niece, and even then I tend to be in the non cold section.
The same definition applies. Except now we include the animals. This is where things may get a little more debatable with your choices.
I believe in antibiotic usage in all animal production. If I am sick I want something to make me feel better, if my dog is sick I take her to the vet because I want her to feel better, and if my child gets sick you can bet I am going to give her something to make her feel better.
Now, I have said that before and I received an interesting comment back “Well, I am not going to eat my kid.”
Now, I have said that before and I received an interesting comment back “Well, I am not going to eat my kid.”
Well of course not.
But, is it fair to let any living and breathing thing suffer when you can do something about it? In my opinion no. But, in the life of an organic cow, whether it be a Dairy cow or a Beef cow, once that animal has had any antibiotics, its life as being “organic” is over.
I believe in treating individual animals who are sick with antibiotics, feeding antibiotics in a feed ration every day is something I do not believe in. There is a big difference.
I believe in treating individual animals who are sick with antibiotics, feeding antibiotics in a feed ration every day is something I do not believe in. There is a big difference.
For all types of antibiotics that have approved use on animals there is a withdrawal period that animal must be held back before entering the food supply. If that animal were to be taken to a locker for processing with antibiotics in their system that animal can’t be used. So, we lose the profit of one very big calf.
And right now, in case you haven’t noticed the rise in beef prices at the grocery store, that means that calf is worth quite a bit of money.
And right now, in case you haven’t noticed the rise in beef prices at the grocery store, that means that calf is worth quite a bit of money.
Now, our farm is our livelihood and we care about the well being of our animals. But, our farm is also our business and we are not going to take any chances sending an animal with any traces of antibiotics in their system to the locker.
With organics in animals it means no hormones and antibiotics usage. All of the feed items they eat have also been grown organically (no fertilizers and pesticides).
I gave you my take on antibiotics and you can read more on hormones in beef here. You will not find traces of antibiotics in non organic meats. And there is more estrogen in white bread than there is in a steak- check out my chart here.
I gave you my take on antibiotics and you can read more on hormones in beef here. You will not find traces of antibiotics in non organic meats. And there is more estrogen in white bread than there is in a steak- check out my chart here.
Again, in my opinion you can feel safe choosing either. There is no proof that organic foods are better for you than non organic. But, at least now you know what happens on both farms!
To talk to an expert remember you can visit the CommonGround website for more information!
I appreciate your objective viewpoint. Thanks for sharing.
Organic agriculture doesn’t necessarily mean fertilizer and pesticide free. There are over 40+ approved pesticides for organic agriculture. The difference is organic fertilizer and pesticides have to be derived from natural sources and cannot be synthetically based like those used on conventional farms.
This is a great article that I read quite awhile ago but has really stuck with me. Her references are very thorough.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/httpblogsscientificamericancomscience-sushi20110718mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/