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
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Repeated Pregnancy Cycles
Cows are repeatedly impregnated until their milk production declines or they are too exhausted to continue
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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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Male Calf Culling
Male calves that are deemed not useful to the dairy industry are killed and discarded
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Male Veal Calves
Male dairy calves raised for veal are prevented from exhibiting their natural behaviours
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Milk Replacer Fluid
Calves are fed milk replacer fluid instead of their mothers milk
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Isolation Pens
Naturally social calves are put into small individual pens for up to 8 weeks after birth
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Ear Mutilations
Cows ears are pierced or chunks are removed as a method of identification
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Skin Mutilations
Calves hair follicles are permanently damaged using irons cooled to well below zero as a method of identification
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Horn Mutilations
Calves heads are permanently damaged using a hot iron while under local anesthetic to prevent horns from forming
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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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Mastitis
Cows udders become infected and painful due to the large quantities of milk they are producing
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Lameness
Cows become susceptible to leg and foot diseases because of inadequate housing and management practices
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Early Death
Cows die before making it to slaughter due to the toll on their bodies from increased milk production
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