Progesterone in cows' milk

[PurpleMaman]

Hi

I've come across some research which suggests that there are worrying levels of progesterone in cows milk, due to an increasing trend of milking cows during pregnancy. This trend has been linked to breast cancer and prostrate cancer (see links below). We've recently moved from formula & breast milk to cows milk for my 12 month old. I can't find any mention of this issue on the Department of Health's website, or NHS direct, or some of the charity cancer research websites (and I'm not convinced of the validity of the websites below). Does anyone know any more about this?

Thanks.

www.erieping.de/english.htm

www.eps1.comlink.ne.jp/~mayus/eng/

I am also saying that was Italy not here, the Europeans have a much less stricter view of farming then we do over here.

I am also saying that was Italy not here, the Europeans have a much less stricter view of farming then we do over here.

Leeza.... no outwintered means living out..... where here are lots of animals walking in one spot it will get muddy, bu I wouldn't expect them to be covered in it.....

Fairlady... i am sorry, but I dont know which hormones you mean, or even quite what you mean tbh, but cows are not routinely given hormones....

Fairlady - the dairy farm we stayed on in the summer said they give the calves the milk they can't sell, when the cows have had mastitis and ABS, or the off milk. We watched them give some pretty off milk, it looked like cottage cheese!

What happened in Italy in the nineties? Was it bovine growth hormones?

So the moral of the tale is buy, eat and drink British.

our calves have waste milk, which is milk from very freshly calved cows or any having any medication, or unfit for consumption for any other reason

No they come in at night, in fact they stay in after milking. So its normal for them to be so muddy and sometimes to be standing in mud? I also worry that when a cow is ill or dies they are left lying in the field for several days.

I have confessed that I am an ignorant townie. I don't know if this is normal or these animals are neglected? I don't know who else to ask.....

I think you're pretty safe with organic milk? No?
FWIW I'm Milk free, but I do eat and cook with organic and salt free butter, and organic cheese ocassionally - also organic sheep's yoghurt and goat's cheese.

We didn't give our DD dairy (organic) milk till she was two - her hair grew and grew after we did - it's really strong and glossy now.
She eats cheese, butter yoghurt and milk and loves it all.
We also feed her a lot of dark green leafy veges - she is a huge fan of spinach and saag curries, and I think she's doing well on her balanced diet which includes all food groups.

HTH

Why is milk from a freshly calved cow waste? Is it colostrum?

guad that is still quite sad!

And you farmers on this tread are you organic farmers or commercial farmers...iykwim...not sure about terminology

as for hormones....am relying solely on crap memory, but it was something that would encourage growth and I am sure there is something that can also be given to encourage milk production! But that might all be rbbish, of course....

If its normal and I report it to someone I will cause trouble for innocent people working hard to make a living

If they are neglected and I ignore it, the animal are suffering needlessly

I am NOT anti-farming

Leeza - I would sy ha is definitely neglect

Zazen - tbh for what the op is talking about there would be absolutely no difference between organic or conventional milk. The only difference between the two is that the cows eat food grown organically

Leeza - if you are worried contact RSPCA if that is what is happening then that is definitely not the norm.

Our calves get waste milk as well.

Organic milk just means that the cows are fed on organic feed and grassland, they still get medication as and when required.

sorry some of my keys are not working properly...

erm, but why don't the calfs get their own mothers milk...surely the biology is similar, i.e. your own mothers milk will be specially designed for your Baby's need?

We don't give anything to encourage milk production except good food. We supply 40% of M&S milk.

I thought that growth hormones was more an issue with US beef?

iirc, the EU is pretty strict actually about hormones in livestock. I may be completely wrong, but this was of interest to me when I was reading this book which was about the American cattle industry.

so, what do non organic milk cows get to eat?

Non organic food and grassland that hasn't been designated organic, but to be honest ours is all spread with their own poo anyway to help it grow.

because we want to drink it fairlady.... ours do have their own mother's milk for he first 24 hours.

Guada - yes cows have colostrum

Thanks

Does the op mean that hormone levels are generally higher in cows milk rather than being hormone injected, therefore the levels can still cause problems in human health despite being naturally occuring?

FWIalsoW there are many many regulations since the EU got it's act together with agriculture - post hand out CAP era.

There are very strict guidelines concerning animal welfare now.

Most animals are housed in slatted sheds, with dry floors, sheep can be over wintered on pastures, goats likewise. It's very rare that a farmer would allow such extensive "poaching" or churning up of the pasture that would turn it all into a mudbath as s/he would have to sow it all again (costing money). Areas near gates and milking routes of course get more treading.

Animals are regularly assessed and milk and other products all undergo stringent testing before it's available to the population.

i wouldn't worry in the least about animal welfare - there are so many Vets doing surveys of individually traceable animals making up herds and all products are tested everyday before release.

Organic milk tastes better IM DH and DD's O, and has been shown to produce less mucus in the gut of humans who drink it - which helps that human absorb more nutrients from the other food s/he eats. Organic cattle are fed organic grass or organic foodstuffs / nuts and so there is very little chemical contamination.

So if you want to drink milk, try organic and see if you like it better!

well..not everyone wants to drink it...and there is majot pressure on the whole " you must drink cowsmilk" campaign, when research shows that in countries where people get calcium from other sources osteoporosis is unheard off...does make you think!
I do like the taste of milk though I admit....
but 24 h of mothermilk is kinda sad and tragic, really!

Caz - why 24 hours? Doesn't the colostrum last a few days?

I can't remember how long they said the calves stayed with the mother on this farm but I thought it was two or three days days.