Panorama. The Dairy Industry

It was distressing. I’d happily pay more for my 16 pints per week (from a local farm via a local supermarket) but there’s no guarantee that it would go to the farmers or that the filmed farmers would improve their practices.
More big brother type filming would go a long way to stop the physical abuse at least.
Do all farmers behave like that? Probably no more than all cat owners kick their cats.

All farmers probably don’t behave like those in the film, but the simple fact is that all calves are removed from their mothers shortly after birth, and many male calves are shot there and then. There is no getting away from this fact and we each have to make our own decision as to whether or not we feel this is an acceptable way to treat sentient beings.

I have never understood why milk is so cheap. I bet most people don’t actually bother to think about it when they are in the supermarket and even a small increase in payment to farmers would take some of the pressure off. I am gobsmacked that people are happy to pay more than double for what is basically watered down porridge.

Some cultures find it odd that adults would consume the baby food of another species.

My OH used to call cows milk "human milk", but soon stopped once we actually had real human milk in our fridge. I can't understand why he wouldn't want it in his tea- would seem more natural than that of a bovine.

tidyskatemum would you pay double for your cows’ bodily fluids? You probably should. Oat milk is fortified the same as cow baby milk so isn’t just watered down porridge. Hopefully it will get cheaper as production increases. You can buy own brand in Lidl and Aldi.

Three years ago I saw a piece on Country Life where a dairy farmer was crying because of how his cows reacted when their calves were taken away. It made me become plant based in my diet after 40 years as a vegetarian. I live near a small dairy farm and have heard the cows crying when their young go. It is awful and goes on for days sometimes.

Alpro soya milk is the best of the alternatives, in my opinion. (Some are horrible.) It is also ethically produced and does not affect rainforests. I have been using it for drinks and cooking for years. I am vegetarian and I don't eat eggs, and eat very little dairy except for cheese. I have found it very hard to give up cheese, I'll admit - especially blue cheeses. I am at least trying to reduce my intake.

I stopped eating meat a good while back the. two years ago I removed all fish from my diet and now I m seriously considering dairy going too I do realise how in some areas the animals are treated badly and even when treated well it’s not natural to keep the poor cows constantly ‘in milk’
Like how people can buy eggs from free range chickens in supermarkets couldn’t dairy have a similar system

I’m with VEGANROCK on this. Oat milk is a great substitute and I love hazelnut milk on my cereal.
Unfortunately cruelty to farm animals exists in this country. It’s heartbreaking to watch. Sadly, most people are unaware of it.

Another reason to go vegan ladies. All factory farming involves extreme animal cruelty.

I am not vegan but try not to eat meat, some fish as Doctor advised I should! Have not used Cows milk for around 30+ years as did not like the stories of how the cows & calves were treated. After watching this I am now wondering if the same treatment is dealt to Goats as I have used Goats milk for many years as it suits my digestion. Maybe I should just give up any type of milk as I havent found one that suits after trying just about all the alternatives & going back to Goats milk. So much cruelty is just not acceptable & hopefully enough people will have seen how bad Dairy farms treat their animals!

I would pay more for milk and most things eg eggs/chicken. I buy organic milk too.

It's difficult to believe the individual mistreatment is widespread. The media always go for the worst case to get audience and headlines. It's all very well to recommend buying organic and vegan but that prices out those who can't afford it and damages farmers who have high standards.

I did see it. Was not impressed with the vet who was asked for comments on the terrible scenes. Felt he should have been much more positive against what he saw. The governing bodies for farming should be ashamed for allowing all the intensive milking systems. Prices need to increase if it would stop the brutality shown in the programme and the animals were allowed a decent life.

We are far too remote and ignorant to the way our food is produced now, cruelty to any animals is abhorrent but the reality of the dairy industry in particular means that practices exist that people don’t “see” ie the removal and destruction of bull calves for example… a huge number of them are destroyed as there is no market for them. We should be prepared to pay a MUCH higher price for higher welfare animal products and eat them less often.

I also didn't watch, I can't bear seeing animals treated cruelly.
Would happily pay more for milk, but aware this isn't possible for some people.

I lived on farms as a child and I didn't see any cruelty, but even so I felt upset about some things .

Factory farming is
very cruel .

We humans are such hypocrites !

I know so many people ,who are vegetarians and love telling you about it even making you feel guilty about your eating habits and yet they buy their animals ie : dogs and cats - beef ,chicken and lamb !

Something wrong with their thinking ?
Or mine ?

In 1976 when I first married we had £68 net income a week. And between£12/15 went on food for two. We ate very frugally and meat was the most expensive.milk was dear too and never wasted.we had six eggs lasting about ten days. Now the percentage of funds used for food I suspect is tiny in comparison, and a lot spent on 'rubbish'. I also think in real terms food has plummeted in price since those days , then again we had slot TV no heating on sat with calor gas heater on in quilt on sofa to keep warm in winter. Wore pyjamas socks and dressing gowns in bed!! Were we happy? Not really nwe were always hungry and cold! We had 'good' jobs too! Trainee accountant and civil servant! Why does everyone have priorities skewed?!?!

There is an online vegan cheese company called Honestly Tasty. The camembert is delicious. You can hardly tell the difference. They also do a nice herby cheese and a blue cheese. Much nicer than the supermarket coconut cheeses. I think they are made with cashews. Definitely worth a try for a taste of luxury cheese.

Unfortunately when supermarket prices rise, the farmer rarely sees any of the profit. The only ones doing well out of all this are the greedy supermarkets.

Sloegin - with you completely. Milk is too cheap and really cow's milk is for cows. Society generally and governments need re-educating on what we should be paying for food (milk included). Oat milk is a great substitute. The trick is to get vegan milks down in price so everyone can afford them.

I drink one and a half pints of milk a day in various forms for the calcium. After having watched that film I would like to get it from other sources. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your response Sloegin and Suedonim.

Buy the best organic milk you can and use less. The substitutes are not milk, do not replace the nutrients are carbon and additive heavy.