HOCUS POCUS MILK

New Zealand, an island country of fewer than 5 million people, leads all stock markets in its new high.  Not in total value, but in percentage of value increase.

 In a day when business news is all about tech stocks, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, this is quite an accomplishment for a country that does not excel at any of those things.  Instead, the meteoric rise floats on a company called A2 Milk.

 If you're aware at all about anything in American agriculture, you know we are in the midst of a free-fall in domestic dairy.  I've written about this more than once recently; it's a true farming bloodbath.  This is not a decline in numbers of cows milked; it's a decline in numbers of dairies.

 The reason?  Falling prices.  Smaller outfits simply can't squeeze out enough profit to stay in business because the margins per gallon are so small. 

 So how is it that New Zealand can enjoy rising prices and milk companies with record valuation?  It's simple:  selling what's known as A2 milk to China, especially for babies.  Just a year ago, the New Zealand dairy markets were in the doldrums, but they have found this niche and are soaring.

 I wonder how many American moms have heard about A2 milk.  Anyone following the Weston A. Price Foundation is up on it.  The difference between the more dominant A1 and less dominant A2 milk is genetic and expresses itself in digestion in the human gut.  The two milks are different.

 The American dairy industry doesn't recognize the difference; the New Zealand dairy industry recognizes the difference.  The American dairy industry is in free fall.  The New Zealand industry is flying high.

 While many still scoff at the difference, A2 is gaining ground slowly and garnering more loyal patrons.  This conversation is vital and important for folks who want to inform themselves about food choices.  This is why censorship for conversations, like Facebook is doing with vaccinations, is so detrimental to freedom of choice.  By whose prejudice will conversations be monitored?

 A free society must preserve the freedom to express ideas.  Otherwise you have tyranny.  Has science been wrong in the past?  Yes, lots of times.  Like when science told us to stop eating butter and lard and use hydrogenated vegetable oil.  Science is highly subjective and political based on the fad du jour.  Choice demands the ability to converse about the alternatives.

 Have you heard of A1 and A2 milk?