Scientists Study Dairy Cow Manures

teresa L wrote:

Why do people oppose large dairies? They are efficient and use less energy to produce nutrient rich milk to a growing population. There are fewer cows to produce more. I don't understand that people think the same amount of cows spread out into smaller dairies are better for the environment. Same amount of cows same air. Dairymen are the first stewards of the land. They protect the land so the land can be passed on to their children and grandchildren and so-on.

been there9 wrote:

<quoted text>Have you ever been to an industrial dairy farm. Most of the cows pretty much live in the stalls where they are forced fed corn to fatten them, not their natural diet and forced to produce more milk so they can be milked more often than is natural. They wind up sick from the lack of fresh air and exercise and natural pasture diet, hence the antibiotic use. When they are all used up after a couple years it's off to the slaughter house. Mass consumption, mass production and greed make people justify some of the most awful things.

teresa L wrote:

Think about the space program's carbon footprint both here on earth and in space. People in California blame the cow's burping and farting for global warming. When 30 years ago there were four times the amount of cows. Give me a barn full of warm burping cows instead of a barn full of belching busses. Pollution and global warming comes from chemicals and petroleum. But then Californians want their food to be cheap and from China or South America instead of locally grown and raised and therefore keep the dollars locally. Hummmm, more pollution for transportation.

teresa L wrote:

I agree but there are those who are pushing that agenda to get more regulations on the books.

teresa L wrote:

Not to us but laws and regulations live on forever.

teresa L wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes I have been on large dairies.I grew up on one. Seven days a week. I worked along side my father, mother, and brother. Cows are fed a variety of foods, among them is corn, alfalfa, oats, and minerals. For the most part cows only lie down to sleep in their stalls and are free to walk around, greet each other, and eat. Dairy families have been farmers for generations where grandparents teach their grandchildren their love of the land and farming and dairying.
Did you know that their are tons of parasites in pasture grass along with noxious weeds, and other things that can kill animals. Cows that are producing milk are not allowed antibiotics. This is mandated by the federal government. That is due to allergic reactions to antibiotics. Their milk is tested everyday.
Yes cows are used for milk and meat to feed our large and hungry population nutrient rich foods. Though for some reason I can't figure out the greed part of it. I don't know any dairy family that is making any money right now. And by the way, you cannot force feed a cow.

teresa L wrote:

If a cow only has grass in a pasture to eat isn't that force feeding the cow? Grass is the only thing available to eat. I am sure that Strauss Family Farms and Organic Valley Family Farms supplement their cows diet with organic feed and minerals. It would be hard to feed a cow totally on pasture during a drought or if the ground is frozen. Even cows in Europe and in are housed in barns during the winter months as are the cows here. They don't have access to pasture during that time.

teresa L wrote:

Think about the space program's carbon footprint both here on earth and in space. People in California blame the cow's burping and farting for global warming. When 30 years ago there were four times the amount of cows. Give me a barn full of warm burping cows instead of a barn full of belching busses. Pollution and global warming comes from chemicals and petroleum. But then Californians want their food to be cheap and from China or South America instead of locally grown and raised and therefore keep the dollars locally. Hummmm, more pollution for transportation.