Cow facts

Your top questions answered

What happens to male calves on dairy farms?
Discover what happens to 'useless' male calves.

What's life like for a dairy cow?
Learn about the reality of dairy farming.

Is beef production bad for the environment?
Learn the facts about beef's impact on the environment.

All about cows

Cows are complex, intelligent animals. Did you know that cows are not only incredibly social, but they also 'moo' in different ways depending on their location - leading some people to suggest that they have regional accents!

Cows also have wonderful maternal instincts. After giving birth, a mother will lick and nuzzle her calf clean and make a unique sound to encourage her calf to get up and begin nursing.

Sadly, the dairy industry separates cows from their calves shortly after birth, which is extremely distressing both for mother and calf. Other issues are also rife in the industry, including mastitis - a painful inflammation of the udder that is common in dairy cows.

After about three years, well below their natural lifespan of around 20 years, dairy cows are usually slaughtered as their milk production has slowed and they are considered worthless to the industry.

Check out some of our articles below to learn about how you can swap out dairy products for kinder and more sustainable choices.

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