Rutter Hormone Stutter

Daniel Brandt
Dairy Farmer, Annville, PA
PA Holstein Association State Director
Lebanon County Farm Bureau Director

In Todd Rutter’s little rant in the November 9th Harrisburg Patriot News, it is shameful that he had no scientific documents to back up his claims. It was a short story of propaganda. It contained no facts at all, only Todd’s hearsay. He holds the public ransom with his words and could care less about keeping the public safe. It is obvious his labeling practices are a money-making grab for him.

He does nothing to promote milk for what it is and the unprecedented benefits of drinking milk. He mentions nothing about that numerous laboratory tests show no difference in the composition of the milk from cows given rBST or not. He mentions nothing about the improved cow health if she has become overweight or the extended life it gives her by remaining profitable to the farmer so he would not have to send her to a slaughter house. Maybe most importantly, he says nothing about that farmers can sign a letter to say they won’t give rBST and still be using rBST to pocket their promised bonus for signing that letter and he or the public will ever know because rBST given to a cow is the exact replica of what the cow produces and cannot change the composition of the milk, therefore it is impossible to develop a test for it. Many farmers are doing this exact thing. This is unlike antibiotics or pesticides which can be tested for. ALL MILK is tested at least 10 times between the cow a nd the consumer for things like antibiotics, pesticides, and even temperature and bacteria levels to ensure all milk consumed is safe. If it fails at any time the milk is dumped at the farmers expense. All farmers are inspected regularly by local, state, and federal inspectors to ensure that their facilities are up to code.

rBST was tested for over 10 years to ensure its safeness to cow and consumer and has been in regular use for over 12 years and has been used on nearly half of the United States dairy cows without a scientific proven case of human harm. I challenge you to read the work of the best researchers out there. A few names that come to mind are Dr Terry Etherton, biotechnology and dairy science researcher at Penn State University, Dr Dale Bauman, professor of Dairy Science at Cornell University, Dr Henry Miller, former head of the FDA biotechnology department, Dr Michael Hutjens, professor of Dairy Science at the University of Illinios, Dr Paul Kaploowitz, chief of Endocrinology at The Children’s National Medical Center, etc.

The PA Department of Agriculture has always been a leader not a follower. When other States say they know the labeling is wrong but are to gutless to do anything, PA has risen to the occasion. Also, if you read Todd’s line about telling consumers whats in their milk, that is exactly what he is not doing. He says nothing about the nutritional value on his labels. Thank goodness we have regulatory bodies that follow scientific means or every wacko could say anything and preach it as gospel. Truth in labeling is what is needed. I feel Todd Rutter and all who make these false claims should be charged by the Attorney Generals office for fraudulent practices and for spreading consumer terror through claims that they cannot scientifically back up in the slightest. Maybe Todd’s letter is just what we needed to make the consumer realize what is happening to them. Thank you for your time and keep consuming nature’s healthiest drink.

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