On cows.......?

Question

So, I've decided to become a vegetarian. No meat for moi. However, I also do now understand the view behind becoming an all out vegan. Try as I might, I know that the infatuation I have with dairy products is not soon to subside. However, I want to know if there are ways to ensure that the animals that say "moo" are treated well if they are producing my milk, cheese, etc. I understand that to produce milk, cows are impregnated each year and that in many cases the male calves are put into the veal trade. Are there any products that certify that this is NOT practiced (organic label, perhaps?). Or, that when cows grow older they are not put in the "mmm...yummy steak" category? I am really trying to be more socially aware, but it is really really difficult. So, maybe you can help??? Thanks!

Answer 1

http://theorganiccow.com/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/uk/organic_food/newsid_2327000/2327667.stm

I will never live without my organic milk, eggs, cheese, mayo ect...

Answer 2

I did a research paper on this very topic for college. What i found was astounding.

If you absolutely want to eat beef, you should look for organic and steroid free, also make sure it is "grass fed" beef and not "grain fed." Cows stomachs cannot process grain, and so these are very fatty cows. Cows are meant to eat grass.

Also considered that the hormones pumped into beef are more concentrated in the milk that they produce, so any dairy product is just as if not more dangerous than the meat, and there are many diseases lurking in the membranes of the cow such as eyeballs and tongues that make up the ground beef, hotdogs and sausages people eat.

In an effort to get rid of the diseases, meat is then given intense radiation treatment before it is shipped off to the grocery stores. Why in the hell any store would allow that to be sold is beyond me.

Then there's the ethics of the whole thing. The inhumane treatment, the rainforests being cleared for grazing grounds, and the millions of pounds of grain that are given to cows that could be sent overseas to the starving countries.

These are just a few of the issues related to beef.

Bon Apetit!

Answer 3

Buy organic from a small family farm, it's the best you can do while you are tapering off. Everyone makes the boys into veal (unless a 4-H project needs a castrated plow pulling team). There is no profit in keeping cows beyond their productive milking years, so they too, go the way of the burger. Comb the market for dairy substitutes. Add them gradually to your life. Eat dairy only when you go out to eat and there isn't anything else to be had on the menu. Also allow yourself to indulge when you want an ice cream cone a couple of times a year to feel like a kid again. Retrain yourself to smell the vomit scent in all cheeses, and eat a handful of nuts instead of cheese. They are a good trade at the same level of fat and salt indulgence (or maybe you are brave enough to go unsalted?) Welcome to team veg. All efforts to do good are smiled upon by the wise.

Answer 4

Sorry, man the only way to ensure this is by using a local farm, where you can speak to the farmer personally, these dont really exist anymore though. Large scale dairy farms repeatedly get cows pregnant to keep each cow's milk production as high as possible in order to be profitable, of the calves that are born, very few are raised for milk production (i.e. to replace the mother) some are raised for beef, some for veal (not just male calves, but female calves too), but the majority are slaughtered within 48 hours, and used in cheap pet foods. Because they are slaughtered within 48 hours they are not fed, as this would not be 'cost effective' because if they were fed, the food would not be digested in time and turned into meat / fat. Also you have to remember that the cows who your milk comes from arent just buried when they get old and die, when their milk production drops below 'acceptable' levels, they are killed and used for beef.

Answer 5

Read the book "breaking the food seduction" by: Neal Bernard MD It will explain how to give up milk when you are ready to.
Other than that the only way to be sure that you are getting cruelty free milk would be to buy it locally from a mom and pop farm. The problem is that labels such as "Free Range" are only advertising gimmicks. The hold no weight under the law.

Good luck with you transition, trust me you'll have never felt better!

Peace.

P.S. also check out www.notmilk.com ;)

Answer 6

Yeah, I suppose going for the "organic"option would be a bit better.... however if you are really concerned there are some great vegan cheese alternatives available. Just do a google search. You can get everything in vegan these days... cream, butter, cheese and off course there are many other "milk" options other than soy (almond, rice etc etc)
Good luck!

Answer 7

Not kosher anything, as the treatment is harsher to the animals. Kosher meats rely on cruel treatment, and kosher factories throw away over half of the cow.

Answer 8

Why would you want to do this??? People have been eating cows forever. Even if you quit eating them, others will continue to do so, so you might just as well eat them as well.
Besides I'm sure cows love to be eaten.

Don't you have enough hangups in today's society without adding more to your agenda???

Besides that, farmers are not just going to throw away calfs after a milk cow gives birth.

Answer 9

buy organic dairy products. Not hard to find at all anymore, albeit more expensive than that full of hormones.... :-/

Answer 10

if you don't want to eat meat any more then that's your choose, my self i don't eat a lot of beef it's not that i don't like it i just do crave it any more