A current hot-button topic here at the Creamery is Monsanto’s introduction of Round-up Ready alfalfa.  Whereas currently approved GMO crops such as corn and soybeans are annual crops, alfalfa is a perennial crop that is pollinated by bees. Bees have a 4-6 mile radius, and could easily spread the GMO pollen to organic alfalfa fields, thereby contaminating it.  It seems that the USDA is firmly in the camp of Monsanto, approving the sale of the crop without adequate testing of the effects of such a move.

Sixty percent of the ration that our dairy farmers feed their cows is comprised of alfalfa. Organic alfalfa is already difficult to source, and with the advent of GMO alfalfa it would even become harder.  The good news is that currently there is a requirement by the judiary to require the USDA to do an environmental impact statement (what a great idea!) on the effects of GMO alfalfa. We are encouraging everyone that can to write their Congressman a quick note expressing your opinion of the release of such an impactful product into the environment on a widespread basis.