November 10, 2004
We say goodbye to three good ol' girls
Today we sent three cows down the road on the beef truck. It's always a little sad to have to cull cows out of the herd even when the decision is obvious. But today was even a little harder because all of the cows had been here on the farm for at least ten years and the oldest one turned 13 just yesterday. Rudy was born 13 years and one day ago, Brianne was 10 and 3/4's years old, and Lassie was just over 10 and 1/2 years old. That makes their average age about 11 and 1/2.
Brianne and Lassie were culled because of milk quality problems. They both had chronic mastitis that had persisted for the last 2 lactations that had not responded to any treatments I had used. Since we are paid extra for having high quality milk, and are penalized when our milk quality is poor, it makes sense to cull animals that are causing you problems and replace them with new animals. Rudy had a severly bruised rear quarter that had the potential to abcess, which could cause even more problems, so it made sense to sell her at this time, too.
You may ask, why am I making such a big deal about the age of the animals. It's because on the average farm, cows remain on the farm for an average of 5 years, not 11 1/2 like the three we sold today. Cows on large, conventional, freestall farming operations just can't last as long because they are pushed hard to produce as much milk as possible. Because of the way these cows are housed, fed, and treated for health problems, they just can't last under the stress. The goal on most organic farms is to reduce the amount of stress on the animal, keeping her healthier and happier for a long time. Letting them grazing, feeding them certified organic grain and forage, and using less stressful health treatments contribute to keeping the cows healthy and producing a high quality milk for a good long time.
Goodbye girls, and thanks for all you have given to Howmars Farm for the last decade.
--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
Learn about other organic dairy farmers and the Organic Valley family of farms.
Posted by Blogger Chris at November 10, 2004 09:54 AM
Hi Jonathan
It was very sad to read about "the three old girls". It's even sader to me, because I have been a strict vegetarian for about 25 years, and I have been vegan for the past 8 years - I became Vegan when I realized that in order to have milk, joghurt,cheese, etc. - one needs to have calws otherwise there is no milk.
Now this may sound like a strange idea to you, but have you ever considered letting cows, like these three old girls who have given you so much over these ten years, to may be give them a sort of "old age retirement home" - you could have a fund going for them - I am sure people would love to donate for the keep of a dear old cow who worked all her life and she deserves a retirement place where she does not have to produce every day.
The other thing I find really, really horrible is the fact that these cows - not just those three, but all the cows who have been living in a great "home"-living conditions which other cows, who are not on organic farms, only dream off. And then their last journey is on a meat truck - smelling death and being butchered in the most god aweful way. Please don't misunderstand - I am NOT trying to make you feel guilty or blame you in any way. You are a dairy farmer and I respect that. All I am saying is, there must be a different way to slaughter these animals, other than putting them through this horrific last experience. Couldn't they be butchered at home or in some other fashion ?
Anyway, I just had to write this because it really bothers me how we treat animals in our care and when they have given what they can and cannot give anymore profit - they go be slaughtered. How about just having them put to sleep and bury them ?
Just want to thank you for being a caring farmer who at least acknowleged these three old girls and appreciated their life.
The best way to show respect for your ailing bovine friends is to give them proper medical care or to put them to sleep, as we would a loved one. The horrors to which they'll be subjected in the slaughterhouse are practically unspeakable--the fear, the brutal torture without anesthesia but with complete awareness and feeling. What a terrible way to end one's life! I hope in the future you'll honor your friends with gratitude for the service they've provided you and give them a proper burial. Thank you.
I don't know what URL is. I enjoy The Bovine Bugle and today I'm also sad the girls had to go. I'm a very old lady who was reared on a farm and milked cows by hand - so if the milking machine ever quits just call me!!!!!!!
ahhh, the words we humans use to desensitize and make cruel actions easier ... I haven't heard of dairy cows being culled ... slaughtered yes, but culled?
This organic farm, while admirable in terms of comparing it with conventional intensive dairy farms, is still a business that causes unnecessary cruelty. Dairy products, while admittedly tastey, are for calves. Humans are the only species of animal on this planet that continues to drink milk after weaning and the only one to drink the milk of another species.
While these cows lived for an average of 11.5 years, there male calves certainly didn't. I hope this farm doesn't send it's male calves to the veal farm, not that being raised for beef is appreciably better.
Please keep an open mind, if possible, in regards to my comments.
I'm so sorry to hear about your cows. You seem to have such a loving connection with all your animals. I understand you must do what you have to at times, but I feel bad for you just the same. It must be hard to try not to get too connected when it is a 'business venture'.
Good luck to you all.
congrat's on having your cows stay healthy, happy and productive for such a long time!
condolances for your loss as well.
Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont.