Organic oleo-omega...

It turns out that "you are what you eat" applies not just to humans but to cows too. Omega 3 content went up significantly in the months when cows were able to eat outside on juicy fresh grass; not a great surprise really. Why is organic milk healthier? ...in an article in The Guardian today. [link]

The picture is a genuine advertisement for organic milk – I resent any “Span’s being pervy” thoughts!...despite some truth…more on The Cerne Giant later but the ad is a genuine one for Manor Farm Organic Milk Ltd., which is an independent family-run business based at Manor Farm, Godmanstone, an organic farm on the Dorset Downs, and only 10 minutes from my family…and also on one of my favourite stretches of road...but I digress.

The news in the report isn’t new; the wonderful website of Omsco (Organic Milk Suppliers Coop) tells us that back in 2003 research had proved that organic milk is naturally higher in certain nutrients than non-organic milk and one such nutrient is Omega 3 essential fatty acid….the Guardian mentions newer research, no doubt having peer reviewed this work:

In 2003 Dr Richard Dewhurst, Joint Leader of the Nutrition and Microbiology Team at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, carried out a peer reviewed study that confirmed that organic milk naturally contains much more Omega 3 fatty acid than non-organic milk. This is due to the fact that organic cows are fed higher levels of natural red clover than non-organic cows.

Further research carried out at the University of Aberdeen in 2004 found yet higher levels of Omega 3 in organic milk. The research, which compared the Omega 3 content of organic and non-organic milk showed that organic milk can contain up to 71% more Omega 3 than non-organic milk and has a better ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 than non-organic milk.

In fact, in the same newspaper there is a good example of how things progress reading the earlier articles: from 6 years ago [link]

Advocates of organics have argued that food grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides must be healthier while critics have said they may be more risky because of naturally occurring infections and because of the liberal use of cow dung.

…and 5 years ago [link]

The Soil Association, the movement's main standard bearer, unveiled a report compiling what it regarded as significant evidence of the health benefits of organic alternatives - including both their lack of harmful chemicals and supplies of minerals and nutrients - but failed to convince the agency.

[Food Standards Agency]. They may be becoming convinced now because only this month, as says FSA Chairman Deirdre Hutton: ‘We are extremely pleased to announce that Peter Melchett (Lord Peter Melchett of the Soil Association) will be the keynote speaker at the 2007 City Food Lecture. Sales of organic food are growing rapidly and this will be a chance to debate the significance of its increasing popularity.

Organic farming (says DEFRA) may offer UK farmers an opportunity to improve business profitability, biodiversity and sustainability both within agriculture and rural communities. Consumer interest is growing and being involved in organic production can help re-connect farming with the public. That is well defined here by Will Best of the aforementioned Manor Farm Organic Milk Ltd.:

Essentially, organic farming is about building healthy soil by means of correct crop rotations, pasture management and recycling of manures and residues, to produce healthy crops with the right balance of nutrients to feed healthy animals and people. Substances and methods which do not help this process, such as artificial fertilisers and pesticides, monocultures and GMOs are avoided, whilst animal welfare and environmental protection are paramount. The extra care needed to operate organic systems costs money, which is why organic food can seem expensive, but we believe it is well worth it to anyone who values a good wholesome diet, contented farm animals, flourishing wildlife and a diverse countryside.

Coincidentally, the next 2 weeks are “Organic Fortnight”…I hope you hadn’t forgotten…HEREthe Soil Association will inform you if there’s an event near where you live. Also click on the cow to find where you can “Stay on a Farm”.While I’m at it organic farming isn’t just about food! Are you DYING to look good? ..and of course it isn’t just about big farms either! Organic garden: ‘urban farming’ (and “micro farming”) is a broad term used to describe the growing of food in urban areas. This can vary from small scale gardening by individuals and groups to large scale gardening projects producing significant amounts of food. Gavin’s courgettes (marrows!) and Mag’s broccoli (2nd post down) are testament to this.
Finally…getting back to…him…you know, him at the top…well, it’s a well known landmark and associated with pagan fertility festivals etc…reporting on pagan May Day festivities in his 'Anatomy of Abuses' (1583), Philip Stubbs wrote:

"Hundreds of men, women, and children go off to the woods and groves and spend all the night in pastimes, and in the morning return with birch boughs and branches of trees to deck their assembles withall....I have heard it credibly reported by men of great gravity that, of a hundred maids going to the woods, there have scarcely the third part of them returned home again as they went."

Well, that’s those “pastimes” they mentioned ahem). Now just round it all off: the original post and Guardian article are about the higher amount of essential fatty acids in the milk, or more precisely the amount of ALA (Alpha Linolenic acid)…HERE’s a 3D model of the carbon hydrogen and oxygen atoms (C18H30O2) that make up that fatty acid….imagine that, manufactured in durable rubber…sex toy or what!!!