JC Activist groups are highly skilled at creating contentious messages which resonate with consumers and the suggestion calves are forcibly removed from the cow (with the cow often cited as bellowing for days afterwards) is a popular anti-dairy message.
Maternal ability is a desirable trait in beef cows (which often calve outside or unsupervised) but has been neglected to some degree in dairy breeding programs.
Therefore, contrary to popular belief, not all cows are interested in caring for the calf during the first crucial 24 hours of life.
Despite the controversial nature of the practice, long-term studies have shown separation from the cow does not affect social behaviours or growth of young calves
Jude Capper, livestock sustainability consultant
In the majority of systems, dairy calves are removed to ensure the calf has been cleaned and dried, the umbilical cord treated, and given colostrum containing nutrients and antibodies vital for health.
Despite the controversial nature of the practice, long-term studies have shown separation from the cow does not affect social behaviours or growth of young calves.