Cons of Bovine Somatotropin

Bovine Somatotropin is a growth hormone administered to cattle. According to the Biotechnology Department at Iowa State University, a study in the 1930s showed that administering Bovine Somatotropin (bST) to milk-producing cattle significantly increased their milk production. In recent years, the use of bovine hormones has become a heated debate among milk consumers, purchasers, producers and animal rights activists.

  1. Lengthened Calving Times

    • The normal calving time or gestation period for a cow is 12-13 months to grow a healthy calf. With the use of bST, the gestation period lengthens, which is good for milk production but dangerous for both the cow and calf.

    Low Conception Rates

    • The Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) has shown in their records that herds on Bovine Somatotropin with high milk production have low conception rates, meaning they have more difficulty achieving pregnancy. This means less cows are birthing their own calves to increase a herd, thus, new cows must be purchased.

    Calf Embryo Death

    • In herds receiving high doses of bST, the ovaries are affected, causing a high death rate of calf embryos. In addition, starting a pregnant cow on bST is dangerous to the calf embryo, even if given a regular dose.