Learn more about cattle

Dairy cows

Dairy farming still has a wholesome image of cows grazing contentedly in green meadows. This picture masks a range of painful and distressing welfare problems including lameness and mastitis, hunger, and exhaustion. Many of these problems stem from the fact that modern dairy cows are pushed to ever-higher milk yields - they produce about ten times more milk than they would do naturally.

In natural conditions, a strong bond quickly develops between a cow and her calf, which is fed by its mother for six to eight months.

On industrial dairy farms, or intensive farms, however, a calf is usually separated from its mother shortly after birth, as her milk is destined not for her calf, but for human consumption.

Veal crates

Some calves are reared for veal. The cruel veal crate has been outlawed in the UK since 1990 and is banned EU-wide from 2007. For more information, click here >>.

Beef cattle

We think of beef cattle as being free to range outdoors enjoying life at pasture, and many still are. However, many others in intensive farms are kept indoors for all or most of their lives, often in overcrowded units on concrete slatted floors without any straw.