Ethical dairy farm?

Question

If you have a dairy farm and you claim to be ethical (let's say you keep the calves and the cows have free run of grazing area then come in for milking), then how do you know how much milk the calf needs and how much is left over? Is there anyway?

This just a hypothetical question...I know it doesn't make a lot of sense or seem profitable but I was just curious.

Answer 1

We have an organic grass fed dairy as do some of our neighbors.  We all leave calves on the cows (it is cheaper than buying milk replacer and much less work) and separate them before the next batch of calves come the following spring. There is enough left over to make a profit over what it costs to run the farm and disease is almost none, so it seems to be a win - win situation.   If someone wanted to make more money by selling more milk, they would either have to sell the calves or take care of them, therefore either trading more of their own time for money, or ending up spending more paying someone else to take care of them, or buying replacement heifers.

Answer 2

The dairy farmers I knew 'back then' (probably the same now) didn't keep calves, they sold them off as soon as they could, as they were worthless to them (then) and others could buy imitation milk to feed calves until weaned.  Happy trails.

Answer 3

The calf is going to suckle when ever it feels hungry and until it is satisfied.  It will determine it's own needs.  When you milk the cow you can definitely  measure the amount of milk that is left over.  So isn' your question really how much milk is that cow produceing overall?  And that would be impossible to measure as long as the calf is running with it's mother.

Answer 4

it is true that the conventional dairy farm separates mother and calf, but you don't have to. usually the calf has the natural instinct to feed itself from their mother. they will stick close to them. the only reason the calf would not be getting the nutrients it needs would be if it is already sick, or something is wrong with the function of the body. the best thing to do is to keep an eye on your livestock. watch their behavior after they go outside for a couple minutes. the calves will usually do what you want them to naturally.

Answer 5

You can't have an ethical dairy farm. I've never met a cow yet that will not lie or cheat her way to the top.

Answer 6

Dairy farmers will raise their calves on milk replacer or sell them to someone else that will. There is nothing unethical about this, it is just economics. Leaving the calf on dairy cows would would literally eat up your profits. Letting the cows have free grazing is always a good idea.