The Suffering of Farmed Cattle
The Suffering of Farmed Cattle
The Suffering of Farmed Cattle
Farmed Cattle
The size of the total cattle herd in the UK – including both dairy and
beef animals – was about 10.4 million in 2003. Of these, 2.2 million
were adult dairy cows.
In order to produce commercial quantities of milk, dairy cows are
forced to endure a constant cycle of pregnancies. Lactation does not
occur unless this cycle is perpetuated. Calves are usually removed
from their mothers within 24 hours of birth, after suckling their mother’s
first antibody-rich milk, known as colostrum. Separation of mother
and infaant causes acute anxiety and suffering for both animals.
concentrated feed supplements, which are difficult point of view, the heavier and “beefier” his calves the
for these slow-digesting ruminants to cope with. better. Specialist companies dealing in bull semen
The result is the release of inflammatory substances for artificial insemination (AI) provide the means to
into the bloodstream, which lead to a condition achieve this.
known as laminitis, an acutely painful foot disorder.
Subsidies
Of cattle farmers’ total income of £2088 million in
2003, £928 million came by way of subsidies from
the taxpayer.