Behind that glass of milk is a pile of dead cows
January 12th, 2010 by admin
Under natural conditions, a female cow might live for 20 years or more. It is rare for a cow on a dairy farm to survive to her fourth or fifth birthday. The bleak cycle of pregnancy, birth and milking places cows under constant stress and puts them at risk of illness, infection, and disease. Not surprisingly, the disposal of dead cows is a serious issue at industrial-size dairy farms in Florida.
Last week we learned that a dairy farm on the eastern edge of Sarasota County had been cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for “improper disposal of deceased animals.” In March 2009, inspectors from the EPA visited Peachey Dairy and found that dead cows had been dumped above ground (rules require that carcasses either be burned or buried). The EPA report includes two grim black & white photos of a mound of dead cows at the back of the property, with several vultures perched on top.
Visit ARFF’s YouTube page to watch a short video about a dead calf ARFF found at a dairy farm in Okeechobee County. Visit ARFF’s website to learn more about the reality of dairy production.