Got Milk?

“Drink it up. It will give you strong bones!” This is what we were told when we were young. We grew up believing that. Do we really know where it comes from? We know the farmer milks the cow by hand. That is the image in our heads. The milk industry is maximizing the milk production as inexpensively as possible. Dairy cows can only produce milk after a pregnancy, just like us! The cows are artificially inseminated every year. After the 9 months of pregnancy , the cow gives birth and the calf is taken, almost instantly, possibly for the veal industry. The cows are then hooked up to a machine and mechanically milked, no farmers. The metal clasps are clamped to their udders and proceed to pump the milk. During this, the cow is tied down in the stall. The udders often bleed and emit pus during this process. Antibiotics are then given to the cows when this occurs, potentially ending up in the milk. Cows produce on average seven to ten times more milk than they would naturally produce. The udders can become so heavy that they drag on the ground while the cow simply tries to move around. These dairy cows are only able to give milk for up to 4 years. After spending those 4 years pregnant and oozing milk they are shipped off to the slaughter house. As consumers don’t we have a right to know this? There are many other options if supporting this industry isn’t for you. Think about the milk you drink and how it gets to your refrigerator. There are a variety of milks that don’t come from animals. Soy milk is an option or my personal favorite, rice milk! Give them a try!