commentaries

"It is nearly universally true that dairy producers do care about their animals." Mr. Fetrow, I'm a graphic designer, and I care about my computer. The second it doesn't work for me, though, I will ditch it and buy another. I would suggest you have about the same level of "care" for cows. You don't care for the animal as an individual. You care about her only to the extent that she can generate income.

After reading John's response, I must say that I am filled with confidence that commercial dairy producers care for their herd. When the profit margin is impacted, the animal goes. Your counter points are similar to arguing where put the x number chairs around the table. For example, a cow can live to 25 but she get sold for meat after about 6 years. Your comment seems to affirm the profit focus of the dairy farmer. Another example is the practice of separation of cow and calf. The colostrum is the most important gift of the mother to its calf. A healthy cow does not need to worry about transferring a disease. It amazes me that dairy farmer would deprive a child the milk of its mother and use dried milk formula. In addition, the fear of bacteria is completely flawed. Our best protection from disease is diverse arrange of bacteria which are primarily helpful or neutral to the body. Therefore, your response proves to me that the industry is focusing on cattle as a machine to be manipulated for maximum production and profit. Everybody needs to make a profit, but it should not be at the expense of an animal's natural abilities and needs as many of today's commercial farming operations do. By the way, if dairy and beef farmers treat their animals so well, why did the MN Legislature propose last year to criminalize the digital documentation of farming operations?

Coming from a dairy farmer and a student of agriculture, I would like to further explain the reasoning behind the separation of the cow and calf. When a dairy calf is born, she has no natural immunity to disease. Unlike humans, they cannot receive antibodies from their mother while they are in the uterus. The only way calves can receive the immunity to disease is through colostrum (the first milk a cow gives after she has her calf). Studies from many researchers and universities have shown that a calf must consume at least 8 pounds of milk within the first 24 hours of birth. After that, the calf cannot absorb the antibodies. If farmers would allow the calf to suckle its mother, there is no way to measure how much milk the calf is drinking. If the calf cannot find the teat, she will not be able to receive any colostrum. If she does not receive the proper amount, she will die. I believe that this IS the most humane way to treat my calves. Any questions?

I've heard the complaint from people who are misinformed about cows multiple times that " dairy farmers "FORCE" their cows to get pregnant every year and that it is inhumane." A cow comes into heat approximately every 21 days. As long as there is a bull around, wether in a corral or open range, she will get pregnant every year regardless of where she is. So that complaint is proven wrong very easily.

Dairy farmers are in the business to make money. Why do you work? I haven't eaten any part of a cow in over 30 years. I do drink milk and love cheese. Without cheese, turkey chicken and fish my diet would be dull, dull, dull........ I quit eating meat by the way after a trip to the Hormel packing plant when I was 17. Nice tour mom and dad-thanks for that! I didn't eat any meat for over 15 years. I understand farms and farmers though. They are not the humane society.

"The separation is generally well-tolerated by both the cow and calf, and any distress is short-lived. Sending your child to school on the first day is much more dramatically stressful." Really? I suspect if you have children, they weren't taken away from you and your wife just after they were born in hospital. To equate separating a mother and child shortly after birth with a child going to school is a poor analogy. Firstly, the parents want their child to be educated and going to school is part of this. Secondly, the parents get to nurture and love them through their childhood (school is only part of their time growing up). Perhaps separating a Jewish mother from their newborn child in 1940s Germany would be a better analogy.

"The separation is generally well-tolerated by both the cow and calf, and any distress is short-lived. Sending your child to school on the first day is much more dramatically stressful." Really? I suspect if you have a children, they weren't taken away from you and your wife just after they were born in hospital with the staff denying you any form of access. To equate separating a mother from her calf shortly after birth with a child going to school is a poor analogy. Firstly, parents want their child to be educated and going to school is part of this. Secondly, parents get to nurture and love the children through their whole childhood (school is only part of their time growing up). Perhaps separating a Jewish mother from their newborn child in 1940s Germany would be a better analogy.