The Poor Mother

First Calf at 2 Years

The dairy cow normally has her first calf at the age of two when she will be producing around 35 litres of milk a day. In subsequent lactations this figure rises even higher. She will continue to be milked for 10 months - but will be made pregnant again in the third month. Around 60-75% of cows are artificially inseminated.

Calf Removal

According to Professor A.J.F. Webster (Dept of Animal Husbandry) at Bristol University "The most potentially distressing incident in the life of the dairy cow is the removal of her calf." He adds that calves are removed from their mothers as early as possible so the milk can be used for human consumption. Many welfarists call for calves to remain with their mothers for longer periods of time. However, if the calf is removed after weeks or months it will be far worse for both. Mother and calf will have formed an extremely powerful emotional bond. Separation would cause profound and prolonged distress to both.

Final Weeks of Pregnancy

For the final few weeks of pregnancy she will be dried out and her overworked udder given a rest. The amount of milk produced by the cow in peak lactation is more than 10 times that the calf would have drunk had it been left to suckle.

Grossly Overworked

"The amount of work done by the cow in peak lactation is immense. The heat produced in metabolism by a 600kg Friesian cow giving 35l milk/day is about 130 MJ/day (or 2.7 kilowatts). This is over twice her metabolic rate at maintenance (i.e. when dry and non-pregnant). To achieve a comparably high work rate a human would have to jog for about 6 hours a day, every day." Professor Webster.

Killed While Still Pregnant

Most cull cows (cows destined to be killed) are sent for slaughter when they are pregnant and calves have been born in transport on the way to the slaughterhouse. The Ministry of Agriculture explains "It is normal husbandry practice to put cows in calf during lactation, even if they are to be culled. In the normal course of events, therefore, many cows going for slaughter would be in-calf".

References

1. The Welfare of Dairy Cattle.  Professor A.J.F. Webster, Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Bristol

2. MAFF letter to Compassion in World Farming