Chocolate Milk Better Than Gatorade!

I'm sure a lot of y'all have heard that the LA school districts are doing a trial ban of flavored milk in the school cafeterias, because they find it unhealthy. (Most of my friends and family are already aware that I find that completely ridiculous.) BUT, the University of Texas has recently released the results of a research study regarding chocolate milk and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. 


Jon Ivy of the University of Texas conducted two studies through the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education where participants were put through an intense 3-hour workout. They were given either low-fat chocolate milk, water, or a sports drink immediately after the workout and then again 2 hours after. Then, they were put through a cycling trial to see the results of each drink. 


So who came out on top? Milk- the super food. It has proved itself the perfect health food once again.

Ivy: “Participants performed much better when they received chocolate milk versus receiving a carbohydrate supplement or if they didn’t receive any supplement at all. They were able to finish the time trial much faster. Chocolate milk has a great carbohydrate to protein ratio, and so we thought that would be a food we could use for recovery rather than having to use a lot of the supplements that have been developed for that purpose." 


Another study was done by physiologist Joel Steger, director of human performance at Indiana University for the International Journal of Sport Nutritional and Exercise Metabolism. His study concluded the same results- chocolate milk was the most beneficial post-workout beverage. He referred to it as the "catch-all workout recovery drink. It's water, plus a whole lot more." 


A whole lot more, meaning what? Well, chocolate milk has the perfect carb/protein ratio, perfect for rebuilding tired muscles. The high water content of milk rehydrates the body, the calcium strengthens bones, and the sodium and sugar in the chocolate aid the body is retaining water and regaining energy. 


Keith Ayoob, EdD registered dietitician and associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine: "Milk is a sports drink plus. It will supply you with things you need whether or not you're working out."


Jason Kamp, MS who was also involved in the study said "Drinking plain water after exercise replaces sweat losses- and that's it. Chocolate milk provides carbohydrate replenishment to your muscles- something they can metabolize. There's nothing to metabolize in water." 


So, I personally am excited because right when I got worried that chocolate milk might be on it's way out- it makes and awesome comeback. A lot of people are pushing for kids to exercise more in school, which is great. But now they are faced with the decision- should we ban the best beverage for those kids to be drinking once gym class is over? 

HOT HOT HOT

The summer months are here, and with that comes heat-related challenges on the dairy farm.

The ideal temperature for your average Holstein is about 70 degrees. Usually, cows can catch a break from the heat at night and be fine, but the humidity will persist. Therefore, it's the humidity that causes the big problems.

Like people, it requires energy for a cow to deal with being in the heat and humidity. They don't sweat, so they pant (like dogs) to cool off. When a cow is using energy to keep cool, that's energy that isn't being used for milk. When the heat and humidity rise in the summer, producers will quickly see milk production decline. So, it's in the best interest of both cow and farmer to do whatever it takes to "beat the heat."

cows under misters 

At our farm, there are lots of measures taken to keep the cows comfortable, and since my internship, I've seen a variety of methods. Our farm utilizes fans and misters, positioned in the ceiling of barn. Every few minutes, a fine spray of water will mist over the cows, soaking their backs, with the fans on constantly. This has an evaporative cooling effect, which is a quick and efficient way to cool off the cows. It also seems to be the most popular.

The grazing farms I visited have utilized the natural shade from the tree lines out in their pastures. I also saw another grazer who left the entrance to his milking parlor accessible for the cows, so they can walk up there at their leisure and stand under the misters.

Down in Oklahoma, cooling ponds were really popular. Farmers would dig out a pond, usually with a solid base at the bottom, and a gradual slant on the sides. This way, cows could easily walk into a pond and cool off whenever they wanted to. Most of these ponds are refilled regularly so the water doesn't get too dirty and become a hygiene problem for the cows.

The most important factor is obviously water. I've never seen a farm where there wasn't unlimited water available for the cows. Even under perfect weather, cows drink a lot of water- because the milk they are producing is 87% water. Also because of this, their milk production affects how much milk they drink, but the average cow drinks 25-60 gallons a day. During the summer, their water requirement is even higher, especially considering how much is lost in milk production. Most farms have multiple automatic waterers available to the cows at all times.

I'm a cold weather person, so once it hits about 85 you're probably gonna hear me gripe. But I gripe a lot less now that I see that the farm doesn't stop just because it's hot. Farmers and cows work the same, if not more, in this heat and I have a great deal of respect for them because of that. In fact, I think they should be on a Gatorade commercial.

photo: http://raylindairy.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/cows-play-in-sprinklers-wordless-wednesday/