To ask what is wrong with this cow

[SHAR0N]

This dairy cow belongs to the farmer in the next village and it looks very ill. Should I report it to the RSPCA?

I know nothing about cows or farming and don’t want to cause trouble if it’s normal. But I don’t want to ignore it if the animal is suffering.

I think MNHQ tend to remove posts that the reporting person claims offends them, rather than checking to see if it's objectively offensive.
It's a very odd way to do things.

Old?! Farmed animals don't get a chance to become old. Dairy cows are killed by the time they are 4-5, when they could naturally live 15-20 years.

Oh they do. A distant relative is a beef farmer - not a very good one. He didn't keep good records, so could never sell his cows, so they just got older and older. He didn't feed them properly either, so the RSPCA stepped in and took them off him. They looked like the cow in the photo.

They were sent to a farmer who specialises in bringing neglected cattle up to marketable quality although some were so badly neglected they had to be destroyed. The cows in the photo could be with such a farmer.

Does the cow have access to water OP?

I think MNHQ tend to remove posts that the reporting person claims offends them, rather than checking to see if it's objectively offensive.It's a very odd way to do things

Oh I see yes, thank you.

So someone that can't face the truth even when nothing graphic is even mentioned or shown, no insults etc, just presses report and ping, it's deleted. Seems legit 😂

Indeed. Their moderation policy ensures anyone with a grudge can shut down conversations pretty much at will. It's bizarre.

I agree with @PollutedShadesofPemberley
Completely

@WhatWouldDominicDo I don’t think that distant relative’s experience is representative of the industry though. Yes some cows may live to be old (intentionally or accidentally) but most are seen as a mere commodity and killed to be used (leather or meat) or when they are no longer of use (for a dairy cow - when they’re not producing as much milk).

What did the RSPCA say?

Just because an animal is reared as a commodity doesn't mean it won't be treated ethically and humanely during its life, and that it is not possible to kill it quickly and carefully and what I would call humanely.

Humans are responsible for death of animals on a vast unimaginable scale. Vegetable and fruit and grain production kills wildlife in vast quantities. Human induced climate change is resulting in one of the greatest extinction events ever.
I understand that a lot of people find talking about animal death difficult, but it is part and parcel of us existing.

The reason dairy cows often look thin is that the cycle of their life incorportates this deliberately.

You can manipulate the lactation by changing the content (quality if you like) of their food and restricting water access (or access to pasture which amounts to the same) so they quickly dry up. This allows them to maintain a pregancy better and then when they calve the cycle starts again. This is why we are used to seeing thinnish dairy cows but this is not a thin dairy cow, this is a walking hat rack as she has used up all her muscle too. You need to speak to the farmer OP. I have found the RSPCA poor at best in general.

If you ran a metal detector past her flank I bet she has a wire or possibly a plastic bag in one of her fore stomachs.

The vet probably already knows unless the farmer has died or something

Humans are responsible for death of animals on a vast unimaginable scale. Vegetable and fruit and grain production kills wildlife in vast quantities

And let’s not forget how much grain is produced to feed farm animals - one third of global arable land is used in the production of feed for animals: www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/livestock-feed-and-habitat-destruction/

Human induced climate change is resulting in one of the greatest extinction events ever.

Beef and dairy farming is a major cause of climate change.

I understand that a lot of people find talking about animal death difficult, but it is part and parcel of us existing.

It doesn’t need to be anything like the unsustainable gluttony it currently is. More than 150 billion animals are killed for food every year. See what that looks like, second by second, here: thevegancalculator.com/animal-slaughter/

@SadSisters you took the words out of my mouth.

I don’t think that distant relative’s experience is representative of the industry though.
I completely agree Swiftier, but that's not what we're talking about. I said that the cow in the photo might be old, and someone else said cows don't get old.
But I'm pointing out that some do, and the one in the photo might be one of those.

Most farmers, including other cousins of mine, are good farmers, and look after their animals properly.

kindsofgrace.com/blogs/vegan-fashion-editorial/five-facts-about-cows-that-will-make-you-fall-in-love

Cows can make friends, stick together in family groups and can enjoy games.

They are sentient beings and deserve humane treatment,

There is plenty of grass for it to eat, but it's certainly not well, you can see the ribs and also the hip bones are too prominent. It's coat doesn't look shiny either. It could be waiting to see the vet, have a word with the farmer as he may be dealing with this already.

@Takeitonthechin its normal to see hips and ribs on a dairy cow, especially an extreme holstein, this one however is under weight.

@WhatWouldDominicDo thanks - and see what you mean, yes agree it’s possible that the animal the OP was talking about was old.

As a farmers wife I have to put people right. Dairy cows are not killed at 4/5 years old. They usually have their first calf at 2 1/2 years so it would not be practical to only have 2 calves and 2 years milk from a very expensive animal.
Most male dairy calves are not killed at birth, and very few killed around 8 months for veal. The majority are reared on for meat and acorrding to DEFRA rules are killed at 30months. (It used to be up to 4 years old)
Most cows in this country live to between 7 and 15.
The cow doesn't look well, but the farmer is probably treating her as best he can to save her life. Check will the farmer if you are worried.

Thanks, hadtojoin.

Dairy farming is fucking brutal.

"It doesn’t need to be anything like the unsustainable gluttony it currently is."

Exactly

Hope you reported it! Please let us know.

Dairy farming is fucking brutal

It really isn’t, speaking at least for dairy farms in the UK. The animals are healthy and well cared for. They have 24hr access to a vet (although hardly ever needed as they are so well.) They are reared by experienced farmers who genuinely care for them. It is absolutely a vocation.

Cows and calves are separated. I completely understand why that does not sit well with some people and that’s fine, if you can’t get past that then you absolutely shouldn’t buy dairy. But the reality really is not so sad or dramatic as most people might imagine. It’s done quickly and expertly and without trauma. Traumatised animals do not milk well and it would be no way to run a successful dairy business. Lord knows the margains are tight enough!!

Happy, healthy cows, outdoors eating grass. That is absolutely the reality on our farm and every other dairy farm we know in the county and are connected to via twitter elsewhere in the uk.

Outside the UK, I don’t know from first hand. And there will be some even here who could improve their practices and up their game. If you even suspect neglect then always report.

But also, please:

• Take the time to talk to farmers, visit farms (google Open Farm Sunday) and educate yourself about where all your food comes from and how it is produced.

• Find out for yourself, don’t believe everything you are told. Consider what the agenda might be behind the headline statements.

• Make informed, educated choices about where you shop and which produce you choose.

• Be prepared to pay for quality.

• Look for the Red Tractor symbol on your items.

Simply put: know what you are buying and buy well. That is the single most effective way to push out any bad practice that may linger.

Good dairy farmers have nothing to hide.

I honestly thought this was going to be a thread about Katie Hopkins 😂