In a sad example of how money talks in the animal
agriculture industry, researchers from Purdue University have turned
to pricing out the financial costs of the painful practice of
dehorning versus using semen from polled breeds of cattle (animals who
naturally don’t grow horns).
agriculture industry, researchers from Purdue University have turned
to pricing out the financial costs of the painful practice of
dehorning versus using semen from polled breeds of cattle (animals who
naturally don’t grow horns).
Presumably the study is an attempt to persuade cattle
producers to move away from the cruel practice of dehorning, which involves the
burning, gauging, or cutting off of horns or horn buds. Dehorning and
disbudding are excruciatingly painful, but tragically, producers rarely make
decisions based on the costs incurred by the animals.
producers to move away from the cruel practice of dehorning, which involves the
burning, gauging, or cutting off of horns or horn buds. Dehorning and
disbudding are excruciatingly painful, but tragically, producers rarely make
decisions based on the costs incurred by the animals.
The study determined that expected costs for dehorning
average US$11.79 per animal, while polled genetics cost an average of US$10.73
per animal. The difference is attributed to “expected veterinary
treatment” after the practice, which is estimated to be between 1 and 8
percent for animals who have been dehorned.
average US$11.79 per animal, while polled genetics cost an average of US$10.73
per animal. The difference is attributed to “expected veterinary
treatment” after the practice, which is estimated to be between 1 and 8
percent for animals who have been dehorned.
You can prevent the unnecessary pain and suffering caused by
dehorning simply by transitioning toward a plant-based diet. To learn how,
visit ChooseVeg.ca.
dehorning simply by transitioning toward a plant-based diet. To learn how,
visit ChooseVeg.ca.
