MythBuster MONDAY!: Cows are just treated as units of production and are often treated inhumanely by those who work with them.

Myth: As farms have become more industrialized, dairy cows are considered mere units of production, and are often treated inhumanely by those who work with them. Fact: Dairy farmers, regardless of their farms’ size, depend on healthy cows for their livelihood. Here is a video from Dairy Farming Today regarding this myth. Many dairy farmers, like other business owners, continuously improve their on-farm management practices, including animal care, to support their families and to provide the public with high-quality and affordable dairy products.  A dairy farmer ALWAYS has in their mind how to improve his or her operation.  As you drive by a dairy farm and see some construction going on... think to yourself: "I wonder what they are doing?"  They might be expanding their business.  More than likely, that dairy farmer is making an improvement.  They could be building a calf barn (my wish list) to keep calves out of the elements or making stalls bigger in the free stall barn so cows can lay more comfortably.  Many dairy farmers are using technology to recycle bedding, such as sand, or turn manure into electricity.  Yes! Electricity!!  I heard a great quote once, "If a dairy farmer wins a million dollars, do they quit farming?  No, that farmer puts that money towards his cows and his farm."   The passion for cows runs that deep.  According to the USDA, of the nearly 55,000 dairy farms in America today, most are smaller farms with less than 200 cows.  The vast majority (98%) of dairy farms – big and small – are family owned and operated.  Cow comfort is important to dairy farmers because a comfortable cow will give more milk.  Dairy farmers provide clean, dry bedding to their cows and access to food and water 24 hours a day.  Nutritious diets, healthy living conditions and good medical care are among the many animal welfare practices routinely used by dairy farmers.  Cows have a very important job! Making milk!! Here are a few pictures of the cows right after milking time: