factory farming 2

"factory farming dairy production"
unknown author

Summary: Some dairy cows are forced to have a calf every year. "Like human beings, cows have a nine-month gestation period, and so giving birth every twelve months is physically demanding. The cows are also artificially re-impregnated while they are still lactating from their previous birthing, so their bodies are still producing milk during seven months of their nine-month pregnancy. With genetic manipulation and intensive production technologies, it is common for modern dairy cows to produce 100 pounds of milk a day — ten times more than they would produce naturally." As a result, the cows' bodies are under constant stress, and they are at risk for numerous health problems.

Approximately half of the country's dairy cows suffer from a bacterial infection of their udders. These cows often become so sick they cannot even stand so at early ages they are slaughtered and used for their meat. Instead of living 25 years they often only make it to about 4. Although the cows are being abused this occurs because it brings in a higher profit for farmers. This does not directly affect me but it does make me feel sad for the helpless cows.

http://www.farmsanctuary.org/issues/factoryfarming/dairy/