Cow's milk is produced by specifically bred dairy cows with each one averaging 8,004 liters of milk per year. For a dairy cow to produce milk they must have been impregnated and given birth.
Females
Culled males
Veal males
Birth
Natural life expectancy
Farming Practices
Artificial Insemination
Cows are forcibly impregnated by a farmer or vet putting their hand into the anus and injecting sperm into the vagina
In British farming
Repeated Pregnancy Cycles
Cows are repeatedly impregnated until their milk production declines or they are too exhausted to continue
In British farming
Mother and Calf Separation
Calves are removed from their mothers a few hours after birth so that milk collection can start
In British farming
Male Calf Culling
Male calves that are deemed not useful to the dairy industry are killed and discarded
In British farming
Male Veal Calves
Male dairy calves raised for veal are prevented from exhibiting their natural behaviours
In British farming
Milk Replacer Fluid
Calves are fed milk replacer fluid instead of their mothers milk
In British farming
Isolation Pens
Naturally social calves are put into small individual pens for up to 8 weeks after birth
In British farming
Ear Mutilations
Cows ears are pierced or chunks are removed as a method of identification
In British farming
Skin Mutilations
Calves hair follicles are permanently damaged using irons cooled to well below zero as a method of identification
In British farming
Horn Mutilations
Calves heads are permanently damaged using a hot iron while under local anesthetic to prevent horns from forming
In British farming
Unnatural Milk Output
Cows selectively bred to produce seven times their natural milk output leading to a variety of health problems
In British farming
Mastitis
Cows udders become infected and painful due to the large quantities of milk they are producing
In British farming
Other Animals
Thank you for taking the time to read this page. We believe the exploitation of animals is an important issue and wish to get this message out to as many people as possible.
Sources
Sources for the statements on this page can be found below.
- - Current trends in British dairy management regimens (M D March 2014)
- - Longevity and lifetime efficiency of pure and crossbred dairy cows (UK Government 2003), What is veal? (RSPCA 2022), Third Report - November 2016 (Cattle Health and Welfare Group 2016)
- - Results of the 2018 FSA Survey into Slaughter Methods in England and Wales (UK Government 2018)
- - The Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (England and Wales) Regulations 1985 (UK Government 1985)
- - Reproduction in Cattle: Third Edition (P.J.H. Ball 2007)
- - A survey of calf management practices and farmer perceptions of calf housing in UK dairy herds (Royal Veterinary College 2021)
- - A survey of calf management practices and farmer perceptions of calf housing in UK dairy herds (Royal Veterinary College 2021)
- - Fifth Report - GB Cattle Health & Welfare Group (The AHDB 2020)
- - A survey of calf management practices and farmer perceptions of calf housing in UK dairy herds (Royal Veterinary College 2021)
- - The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations (UK Government 2000)
- - A survey of calf management practices and farmer perceptions of calf housing in UK dairy herds (Royal Veterinary College 2021)
- - The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007 (UK Government 2007)
- - The Cattle Identification Regulations (UK Government 2007)
- - The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007 (UK Government 2007)
- - The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations (UK Government 2007)
- - A survey of calf management practices and farmer perceptions of calf housing in UK dairy herds (Royal Veterinary College 2021)
- - Genetic parameters for production, health, fertility and longevity traits in dairy cows (Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Scottish Agricultural College 2020)
- - Genetic parameters for production, health, fertility and longevity traits in dairy cows (Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Scottish Agricultural College 2020)
- - Third Report - November 2016 (Cattle Health And Welfare Group 2016)
Keeping this information up to date and accurate is of high priority. Have the facts and figures changes since we wrote this? Let us know