February 20, 2008
Not So Happy Cows in California
As a Wisconsin native, I grew up near a lot of dairy farms. My grandparents were dairy farmers for over 40 years and after they passed away my uncles continued farming. I remember visiting the farm every weekend as a kid, and I’ve experienced cow milking, hay baling and other farm chores. My uncles treated their cows well, these animals were their livelihood.
In elementary school we had something called Wisconsin Week in which we learned about all the wonderful things our state had to offer. One of the most important lessons was about our agriculture, and we were so proud to be America’s Dairyland. Over the years, California caught up to us in milk production and Wisconsin focused more of it’s time on cheese production. This is probably why we’re considered Cheeseheads — well, that and our large Green Bay Packer fan base.
You will probably understand why I was so angry when I started seeing the television commercials for “Real California Cheese”. I know the Golden State has an advantage with beautiful weather in the winter months. I’m sure our Holsteins hate the snow as much as we do. It wasn’t enough that California was surpassing us in producing milk, now they wanted to compete with our cheese?
I don’t think I can really blame the state of California. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board didn’t appear to be doing anything to counter the bold claims that “happy cows come from California.”
I was shocked and appalled when I read this article in the Washington Post about the inhumane treatment of cows captured on hidden video. At a slaughterhouse in Chino, CA, employees were caught “using chains to drag cows unable to stand; shoving and rolling crippled cows with forklifts; and rampant use of electric prods to drive infirm animals to slaughter.”
I’ve never witnessed an animal being slaughtered. I can’t imagine how awful it must be. However, I never expected to discover that a meat packing company would use such horrendous methods to bring beef products to America’s dinner tables.
It disturbs me that the Hallmark Meat Packing company would commit such gruesome mistreatment. I don’t believe cows deserve to be prodded with a fork lift. I realize these cows were going to be slaughtered and there is no humane way to end an animal’s life, but it does NOT include chains or cattle prods.
(As an aside, I am not writing this to spark a debate between meat eating and vegetarianism. I understand it is a personal choice for everyone.)
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February 20th, 2008 at 8:16 AM, Melissa Says:
It’s horrible how some slaughter houses treat the animals that enable them to make their living.
It’s a fine line between humane slaughter and torture. The Washington Post article makes me sick.
But, as much as I appreciate your views on the tragedy of animal abuse… it seems you’re using a very wide brush to paint the California milk/cheese industry with the wrongs of this one meat processing plant.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:09 AM, Dana Says:
Melissa, I’m not painting any kind of picture of California. I plainly stated that I can’t blame California for their ability to compete with Wisconsin, I’ve also pointed out that animal abuse takes place across the world.
I’m miffed that Hallmark Meat Packing would commit such acts. Did they think they wouldn’t get caught? Will California, the state that claims cows are happier there, prosecute this facility to the fullest extent?
You have to admit it’s going to have an impact on their slogan.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:19 PM, yoshi Says:
Well, you have to admit that the meat packing company is not the only ones to blame. the USDA inspectors did pass them through after. The USDA is also to blame in this situation.
That’s the sad thing really, it all comes down to people, and the cruel thing they do, and the less people seem to care. It’s so very very sad.
It makes me very ashamed to be human.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:29 PM, Dana Says:
Yoshi, that’s true. The USDA needs to own up to their wrong-doing, too!
February 20th, 2008 at 7:00 PM, Amber Says:
That article makes me ANGRY. I don’t like to think of the slaughter of animals either and most certainly will not become a vegetarian in this lifetime. However, I agree – there is a humane way to do it. My grandfather ran a cattle ranch for years and those those cows became like family. Maybe it is because we all chewed our cud in the same manner.
February 20th, 2008 at 7:18 PM, Dana Says:
Amber, I know. I cried when I saw a clip of the video. I remember petting the cows on Grandma’s farm and those animals are so amazing. No wonder they are sacred in India.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:40 AM, mammacheryl Says:
My brother worked in a slaughterhouse for a while, and he said the way they killed the cows was very quick and pretty painless. The equivalent of a bullet in the back of the head. Working there never turned him off of eating anything but hotdogs. But that’s another post.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:40 PM, RC Says:
My G’pa named his cows. We felt special when one had our name!
I’m a meat eater, but we try to buy from our local farmers. We know how their animals are kept, and loved, even though they will go on to be food.
Every living creature deserves to be treated with some dignity and respect.