A new advocacy group tied to agriculture company Monsanto is trying to stop the proliferation of milk from cows not treated with synthetic bovine growth hormone.
The group, called American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology, says it is a grass-roots group that formed to defend its right to use recombinant bovine somatotropin, also known as rBST or rBGH, an artificial hormone that stimulates milk production. Monsanto sells it under the brand name Posilac.
Dairy farmers are part of the organization. But AFACT was organized in part by Monsanto and a Colorado consultant who lists Monsanto as a client.
A Monsanto spokeswoman said her company provided financial support to AFACT but emphasized the group is led by farmers.
AFACT has formed as many consumers are choosing milk from cows not treated with artificial hormones.