Re: RC: Fw: Re: Tree-hugger

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/14/00 4:51:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
fasterhorses@gilanet.com writes:

<< The only dairies I've been around that I'd agree with you about are small, 
 private ones.  The big commercial ones are disgusting.  Just driving near 
 one on a hot day makes one car sick with the smell - not quite as bad as 
 feed lots but almost. >>

Lif, your example with the dead calf is indeed a rarity in the dairy 
industry.  While the calves are indeed not a particularly "useful" commodity 
in the dairy, getting the calf delivered rapidly and with as little trauma to 
the cow as possible is a MAJOR priority, as lowered milk production is a 
sequelae to a calving problem.  An unhealthy uterus (be it due to inflamation 
or infection following a complicated calving) interferes with both the 
hormonal regulation of lactation as well as the general health of the cow, 
both of which are dollars down the drain to the dairyman.  Dairies that don't 
take good care of their cows don't stay in business very long in the 
competitive market.

Heidi