Here are 10 gross things the dairy industry doesn’t want you
to know.
to know.
1. Cows suffer from painful infections.
Subjected to intensive genetic manipulation, cows produce an
abnormally large amount of milk. This unnatural production, combined with the
physical damage inflicted by the milking equipment, contributes to mastitis, a
painful udder infection.
abnormally large amount of milk. This unnatural production, combined with the
physical damage inflicted by the milking equipment, contributes to mastitis, a
painful udder infection.
2. There is pus in
the milk.
the milk.
Mastitis
generates pus, which gets into the milk. The USDA reports that one in six U.S. dairy
cows suffers from mastitis, and this miserable infection is responsible for one
in six cow deaths at dairy factory farms.
generates pus, which gets into the milk. The USDA reports that one in six U.S. dairy
cows suffers from mastitis, and this miserable infection is responsible for one
in six cow deaths at dairy factory farms.
Because mastitis is so prevalent, the U.S. dairy industry demands
that American milk retain more pus-causing cells than any other country—a
million pus cells per spoonful. So gross!
that American milk retain more pus-causing cells than any other country—a
million pus cells per spoonful. So gross!
3. Calves’ tails are
cut off.
cut off.
This involves cutting through the sensitive skin, nerves,
and bones without any painkillers. Animal welfare experts condemn this unnecessary
and inhumane practice.
and bones without any painkillers. Animal welfare experts condemn this unnecessary
and inhumane practice.
4. Cows’ hair is
burned off with torches.
burned off with torches.
Every four to five weeks, dairy farmers use a propane torch to singe the
hair around cows’ sensitive udders.
hair around cows’ sensitive udders.
5. Cows’ horns are
burned or sawed off.
burned or sawed off.
Workers burn or saw off the horns of cattle
without anesthetics. This painful and grisly practice, which often leads to
infection, is considered standard.
without anesthetics. This painful and grisly practice, which often leads to
infection, is considered standard.
6. The industry pollutes
the environment.
the environment.
The U.S. dairy industry has a record of egregious water
pollution. In fact, animal excrement and other agricultural runoff from
large-scale farms have polluted nearly one-third of rivers in the U.S.
pollution. In fact, animal excrement and other agricultural runoff from
large-scale farms have polluted nearly one-third of rivers in the U.S.
7. Cows are forcibly impregnated.
This is highly invasive, requiring farmers to stick nearly
their entire arms into the cows’ rectums. This stressful procedure is repeated
about every 12 months. Dairy cows are kept in a constant cycle of pregnancy,
birth, and lactation.
their entire arms into the cows’ rectums. This stressful procedure is repeated
about every 12 months. Dairy cows are kept in a constant cycle of pregnancy,
birth, and lactation.
8. Baby calves are
stolen from their mothers.
stolen from their mothers.
Newborn calves are typically taken away from their mothers
within hours of birth. This forced separation often causes cows to bellow for
hours or even days, pacing and searching for their calves. Heartbreaking,
right?
within hours of birth. This forced separation often causes cows to bellow for
hours or even days, pacing and searching for their calves. Heartbreaking,
right?
9. Babies are killed for
veal.
veal.
Since male calves don’t produce milk, they’re of no use to
dairy farms and are often sold for veal production. Veal is a direct byproduct
of the dairy industry.
dairy farms and are often sold for veal production. Veal is a direct byproduct
of the dairy industry.
10. “Spent cows are
tortured and killed for hamburger.
tortured and killed for hamburger.
Weak, sick, and injured, “spent” dairy cows are
often brutally prodded, beaten, and even dragged before being slaughtered and
processed into ground beef. Sickening.
often brutally prodded, beaten, and even dragged before being slaughtered and
processed into ground beef. Sickening.
—-
Fortunately, consumers can withdraw their financial support
from this gruesome industry. Join the millions of people who are ditching dairy
and adopting a compassionate vegan diet. Click here to get started!
from this gruesome industry. Join the millions of people who are ditching dairy
and adopting a compassionate vegan diet. Click here to get started!
For a list of dairy alternatives, click here.
