Since 2004, FDA approved the use of rBST to use in dairy cows to improve milk yield (typically 8 to 10 lb per cow).  The effect of this technology has been to reduce the number of cows needed to produce the amount of milk need for U.S. consumers, lowered milk prices, and was environmentally friendly.

The economic impact of using this technology for dairy farmer is to add $1.10 more income per 100 pounds of milk produced (milk priced at 20 cents a pound, the injected rBST cost 55 cents, and the added feed costs are 35 cents per day,  and 3 cents to inject the cow and added milk time).

Point of milk sales (such as Krogers )are requiring milk processors to not accept milk from cows injected with rBST (about 25% of the cows in the U.S.).   This decision with no scientific reason and negative economic benefit to consumers will cost dairy managers and the dairy industry.

The long term concern is that safe technology may be denied in livestock and agricultural production which can impact food prices and quality such as new genetic corn traits, use of total mix rations, sexed semen, and vaccine programs.

Consumer and producers have a stake in these decisions.