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.

Living Conditions

Dairy cows are kept in a broad variety of conditions from outdoor pasture to intensive indoor farms

Age at Death

Dairy cows are killed when their milk production declines

Females
Culled males
Veal males

Females

6 years

Culled males

1 day

Veal males

6-8 months

Birth

Natural life expectancy

Method of Death

A majority of cows and bulls are killed with bolt guns

Farming Practices

Artificial Insemination

Artificial Insemination

Cows are forcibly impregnated by a farmer or vet putting their hand into the anus and injecting sperm into the vagina

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In British farming

Repeated Pregnancy Cycles

Repeated Pregnancy Cycles

Cows are repeatedly impregnated until their milk production declines or they are too exhausted to continue

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In British farming

Legal
Mother and Calf Separation

Mother and Calf Separation

Calves are removed from their mothers a few hours after birth so that milk collection can start

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In British farming

Legal
Male Calf Culling

Male Calf Culling

Male calves that are deemed not useful to the dairy industry are killed and discarded

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In British farming

Legal
Male Veal Calves

Male Veal Calves

Male dairy calves raised for veal are prevented from exhibiting their natural behaviours

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In British farming

Legal
Milk Replacer Fluid

Milk Replacer Fluid

Calves are fed milk replacer fluid instead of their mothers milk

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In British farming

Legal
Isolation Pens

Isolation Pens

Naturally social calves are put into small individual pens for up to 8 weeks after birth

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In British farming

Ear Mutilations

Ear Mutilations

Cows ears are pierced or chunks are removed as a method of identification

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In British farming

Skin Mutilations

Skin Mutilations

Calves hair follicles are permanently damaged using irons cooled to well below zero as a method of identification

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In British farming

Horn Mutilations

Horn Mutilations

Calves heads are permanently damaged using a hot iron while under local anesthetic to prevent horns from forming

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In British farming

Unnatural Milk Output

Unnatural Milk Output

Cows selectively bred to produce seven times their natural milk output leading to a variety of health problems

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In British farming

Legal
Mastitis

Mastitis

Cows udders become infected and painful due to the large quantities of milk they are producing

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In British farming

Legal
Lameness

Lameness

Cows become susceptible to leg and foot diseases because of inadequate housing and management practices

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In British farming

Legal
Early Death

Early Death

Cows die before making it to slaughter due to the toll on their bodies from increased milk production

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In British farming

Legal

Other Industries