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Farm Sanctuary Investigation Looks Behind the Scenes of California Dairy Industry

Organization Uncovers Abusive Conditions at Intensive Dairy Farms; Releases Video to Public.

Watkins Glen, NY and Orland, CA - July 3, 2007 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, today announced the findings of a multi-pronged investigation into the interworking of California's dairy industry. More than 21 percent of the nation's dairy supply comes from California, and, according to California Department of Food and Agriculture 2005 statistics, the state is home to nearly 1.8 million milk-producing cows. The bulk of these animals reside on intensive dairy farms, where, as the investigation shows, living conditions are abysmal and animals' basic needs are routinely ignored.

"As the nation's largest dairy-producing state, California sets an example for the rest of the industry," said Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary president and co-founder. "Our investigation uncovered sickening treatment of cows and their calves on these farms. I don't believe the public would accept this cruelty if they were aware of it."

The information-gathering process took Farm Sanctuary investigators from dairy farm to transport truck to slaughterhouse, exploring the lives of cows used to produce dairy, and their offspring, who are either used as "replacement heifers," or for their meat and hides. Weaker newborns are picked up by "calf jockeys" or dealers, who then route the infants to the slaughterhouse-their flesh used for cheap meat and leather goods. According to the USDA's Agricultural Statistics 2006, 85,700 calves were slaughtered in California in 2005 at an average weight of 156 pounds. At birth, calves typically weigh about 100 pounds. Farm Sanctuary estimates that about half of these calves were slaughtered within a couple days-some just hours-after birth.

"Over the past 20 years as more and more people have come to realize the cruelty inherent in veal production, the overall demand has taken a nosedive," Baur said. "But that isn't stopping the killing of baby calves in the dairy industry. They are removed from their mothers and many are slaughtered within hours of their birth. Our investigation captured this process, with calves literally dragged away from their mothers right after they are born."

During the investigation, Farm Sanctuary documented violations of California Penal Code 599(f) at Escalon Livestock Market in central California. An injured cow unable to rise and a motionless newborn calf were observed at the market, still alive and left to languish. Section 599(f) says that no slaughterhouse "shall hold a nonambulatory animal without taking immediate action to humanely euthanize the animal or remove the animal from the premises." Farm Sanctuary has sent a letter urging San Joaquin Valley District Attorney to prosecute the case, and is awaiting action in this case.

Farm Sanctuary has spearheaded efforts to pass laws to better protect farm animals and to secure convictions for violations of existing laws, the most recent coming in February with the successful prosecution of New Holland Sales Stables in Lancaster County, Pa., which neglected to euthanize three downed sheep.

Behind the Mustache: A Farm Sanctuary Investigation is a 10-minute video documenting the abusive conditions found throughout the investigation and can be seen at youtube.com.

Baur added, "Big dairy has remained hidden behind multi-million dollar ad campaigns and taxpayer subsidies for too long. These are not happy cows."

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.