Panorama. The Dairy Industry

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325425#nutritional-values
There is more calcium in almond, oat and soy milk than dairy.

For years I have said I would not be vegetarian unless I was strong willed enough to give up dairy , as next to battery hens I thought it was the most cruel aspect of farming- removing the calf at birth seems horrendous.We always buy meat from a farm shop and have organic milk and cheese, but I do feel guilty, as I’m sure organic vows are still robbed of their calves. There are so many alternatives to dairy these days that I really should make the move. There is no way that my husband will though.

As a child I used to go on farm holidays, the milking cows were always well cared for and treated, of course these were small family farms and they were proud of their animals and weren't seen as dumb stupid creatures a commodity to be abused like many huge farms nowadays!
I'm a vegetarian and use very little milk, otherwise I'd go for organic milk. And do think milk is far too cheap a chocolate bar costs more than a pint and we happily pay for it!!
I used to have a goat for milk, I only allowed her to kid every other year and she milked all the way through without dropping volume, I hate the thought that the these poor animals have to bear young year in year out, often having problems as the calves are too big for them to pass through the pelvis! It's about time animal welfare stepped up!

I quite agree, MaizeD.

Many many people don’t have the luxury of choosing which brand of milk to buy.

Obviously, for those that do, all well and good.

I have no sympathy for farmers. Perhaps less intensive dairy farming is what we need.

Happily, there are MANY good, caring dairy farmers...so please don't tar all with the same brush. Want racism- look hard enough you can find it, sexism, cruelty, abuse always there...

You cannot and shouldn't consider all dairy industry the same because of one reporter in one business.

But, the price of milk is stupidly low - but people buy it...I'm amazed in my supermarket!

There is more calcium in watercress. Perhaps watercress juice on my cereal is the way to go.

WARNING - Controversial Opinion!

I have long held the view that adult humans do not need Cows Milk. Humans are the only species that drink a food produced by an animal for it's own young. Would anyone drink milk produced by a dog for her pups? or a Horse for it's foal? I also think it is cruel to keep an animal constantly pregnant in order to take it's milk for human consumption.

....(dons hard hat in preparation for sharp words, and heavy objects).

I rarely drink milk of any kind (I drink Peppermint tea, or plain tap water), but do sometimes buy Oat Milk for my husband, who loves traditional porridge.

Unfortunately, so many people have no idea where their food comes from. I was in tears at this programme. Such cruelty is inexcusable and unforgivable!

Basically it’s grown ups drinking baby milk but not human baby milk ( which would make more sense) but milk intended for the babies of a different species. Totally unnecessary.

^ Would anyone drink milk produced by a dog for her pups? or a Horse for it's foal?^

Actually, mare's milk is drunk in some cultures. Also sheep's mil and goat's milk.

An animal can continue to lactate long after its offspring could be weaned. Milk production is a result of the stimulation of the teats by the baby whatever. So, as with Dianehb1957's goats, milk production isn't dependent on constant pregnancy and birth.

Do we have any dairy farmers here? If they dare raise their heads above the parapet perhaps they could tell us if it's necessary for a cow to produce a calf every year.

Apologies for typos and duff formatting...

CBBL. Your opinion isn’t controversial and you shouldn’t need to don a hard hat. As I stated upthread many people, myself included, just don’t think about milk and it’s production. We take it for granted and it’s horrific, as is all factory farming.

In days gone by a farmer’s family helping themselves to some milk from a cow has turned into a massive industry. I drink milk but have increasingly turned to plant milk, mostly oat.

Here in the West we waste so much and eat and drink far more than we need.

I didn’t watch the programme as I find it too distressing but I hope it makes people think and, hopefully, find alternatives.

I heard about the program on radio 4 and I cried when I heard about the cow being hit in the face. It upset me for the rest of the day and even now when I think about it. I was brought up on a dairy farm and we loved our cows. They each were registered with a name as they were pedigree Ayrshires. The naming was always done alphabetically to a theme. For example Floers - Aster, buttercup, cowslip, daisy; Complimentary adjectives - Attracive, Bonny, Cute, Dainty. Dad once went through the Greek alphabet. Alpha. Beta, Gamma, Delta

When the children were small we had goats and I found that a goat produced enough milk for her (usually two) kids and for us to use in the house so no need to separate them. Unfortunately this doesn't work in commercial production.

sandelf

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.

Whole milk is a useful source of protein. Older people tend to loose protein and hence strength. nutrition.org/going-nuts-about-milk-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-plant-based-milk-alternatives/#:~:text=Dairy%2Dalternative%20milks%20tend%20to,with%20other%20vitamins%20and%20nutrients.

Sandelf. With organic milk what exactly is the difference from ordinary milk? I must admit I love tea and it’s not the same with plant milk so if organic milk is produced with far less stress to cows I’ll happily pay more.

Didn’t and wouldn’t watch this. I know you what the issues are and try to shop accordingly. I always buy organic milk from places I know will pay the producers a fair price. I do have a weakness for cheese though, but buy local produce from a local shop. Free range eggs and very little meat. I try to buy sustainably sourced fish. I appreciate that not everyone could afford to do this.

One branch of our family were farmers with one of them being dairy farmers. He gave up years ago because of the pressure of producing a product with so little return and went into breeding rare breed. His cows were treated with kindness which is more than you could say for the young girls he met but that is another story.

#Shazzakanazza when I was a child we only had chicken on special occasions as it was so expensive. I think factory farming has made chicken really cheap, pardon the pun, and People expect to always be cheap. I buy from a local organic farm shop which stocks only organic/higher welfare meat and a chicken there ranges from £15-23 depending on size. We tend to buy thighs/legs/breast rather than a full chicken. We don't eat a lot of meat but all the meat and produce we buy is organic. We also buy organic milk and cheese from there too. Expensive for a cheeseaholic but at least I know the animals are being treated well.We just mainly eat veggies (organic either bought or grown) and I grow as much as I can in my garden. We all have to take responsibility to ensure the food we put into our body is of the best quality both for us and teh animals and workers who provide it.

I’m not vegan but did do Veganuary a few years ago and I was using oat milk, I ve continued to use oat milk as I prefer the taste now to normal milk and it’s much better for the planet

Would paying double or triple the price for milk deter the disgusting behaviour of some humans toward livestock?
I'd pay willingly, but doubt it would make a difference to man with big boots or shovel.

I have bought organic milk since watching this sad program. I will try and persevere with oat milk as well.

tickingbird, organic milk must be produced from cattle which are not give antibiotics or hormones to increase yield and promote growth, and must have at least 30% of their diet from pasture. Organic farmers are certified by the Soil Association and you can see their logo on all sort of organic foods.

CBBL

WARNING - Controversial Opinion!

I have long held the view that adult humans do not need Cows Milk. Humans are the only species that drink a food produced by an animal for it's own young. Would anyone drink milk produced by a dog for her pups? or a Horse for it's foal? I also think it is cruel to keep an animal constantly pregnant in order to take it's milk for human consumption.

....(dons hard hat in preparation for sharp words, and heavy objects).

I rarely drink milk of any kind (I drink Peppermint tea, or plain tap water), but do sometimes buy Oat Milk for my husband, who loves traditional porridge.

Unfortunately, so many people have no idea where their food comes from. I was in tears at this programme. Such cruelty is inexcusable and unforgivable!

Very well said ??????????????

Thank you WIWYA

You're welcome