The Truth about the Dairy Industry

In order to produce milk, cows must give birth. To make her pregnant, she is artificially inseminated. This occurs 2-3 months after every birth.

Once a cow gives birth, a strong bond instantly forms between the mother and calf. However, within 24 hours of birth, the calf is taken from the mother. This causes extreme distress for both of them- cows have been known to cry out for their missing babies for days after they have been taken away. Male calves are an unwanted by-product of the industry because of their inability to produce milk and are usually shot at birth. Others are reared for veal. These are often kept in tiny cages to limit their movement, keeping their flesh tender, and are fed a diet low in iron to keep their flesh white. After a few miserable months they will be killed. If the calf is female, it will be reared for milk and impregnated at 16 months old, continuing the cruel cycle. When the calf is separated from its mother, it will be fed milk replacers so the industry can profit from the calf’s milk.

Dairy cows are considered ‘spent’ at around five years old when they will be bundled into lorries and sent to the slaughterhouse for low grade meat production. Naturally, a cow would live to around 20 years.