Does use of BST only benefit the farmer?
BST can have environmental and consumer benefits. Since fewer cows can produce the BST can significantly reduce the tonnage of manure from dairy cows. Cows with supplemental BST consume less feed per gallon of milk produced. Since BST increases production efficiency it may help maintain lower consumer prices. The Consumer Price Index for the dairy products rose since 1988 due, in part, to a shortage of dairy ingredients. Increasing the milk supply may reduce future price increases.
