Hiland Dairy Says No to Artificial Growth Hormones

We’re proud of the opportunity we have to partner with local dairy farmers to produce and deliver the highest quality dairy products from milk that is wholesome, delicious and full of important vitamins and minerals – everything except artificial growth hormones.

In fact, effective February 1, 2008, Hiland Dairy has only used milk from dairy farmers who have pledged to not treat their cows with artificial growth hormones. While the FDA has found no significant difference between milk from treated and untreated herds, some of our customers prefer their milk to come from untreated cows.

What are growth hormones?

Dairy cows naturally produce somatotropin which helps to facilitate milk production. In 1993, the FDA approved a genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone known as rbGH or rbST, which replicates somatotropin to increase a cow’s milk production, typically by 5-15%.

Even though it’s estimated that 15-20% of cows in the U.S. are given this growth hormone, the dairy farmers that supply Hiland Dairy do not and will not use it.

Hiland Dairy remains committed to delivering naturally nutritious and wholesome dairy products to its customers, always free of artificial growth hormones, and always fresh and delicious.

Hiland will only use milk from dairy farmers who have pledged to not treat their cows with artificial growth hormones. While the FDA has found no significant difference between milk from treated and untreated herds, some of our customers prefer their milk to come from untreated cows.