All About Dairy

About cows

 

Just like humans, the cows, camels, goats, yaks, buffalo, horses, donkeys, sheep, reindeer, and zebu, used in dairy production produce milk for the purpose of nourishing their babies. All mammals have mammary glands, and pregnancy stimulates the progesterone and oestrogen hormones, which promote the development of the milk duct system in their bodies [1].

Mammals care for their young into adulthood, to ensure their infant survives and will eventually reproduce [2]. Focusing on cows, as they produce 85% of the world’s animal milk supply, a cow would nurse her calf for approximately 7-14 months [3]. In as little as 5 minutes postpartum, mother and calf develop a strong specific maternal bond [4]. The dairy industry purposefully denies mothers of a chance to bond with their young, as the babies are seen as competing for the resource – being the milk [5]. After separation, cows are known to look for their calves and bellow out for them, while calves also become more vocal. A more recent study found that calves who are removed from their mothers are less social and active [6].

The industry

 

There are millions of animals of various species trapped in the dairy cycle. If we look at just cows alone, there are over 270 million spread around the world [7]. Australia has around 1,562,000 dairy cows, spread across 5,700 farms. These mothers produce 9.3 billion litres of milk every year [8]. On top of this, there are 68 goat dairies [9], 13 sheep dairies [10], and approximately 8 camel dairies [11].

The following standards are common across the globe, including in Australia, and are used on multiple species, but predominantly cows -

Artificial insemination (AI) involves placing semen directly into the uterus, rather than allowing animals to naturally mate. Using AI means farmers do not have to care for males, have more control over genetics, and can impregnate more females in one season [12]. The female is usually restrained, often inside a crush box. A worker inserts their arm into a cow’s anuas and then with the other hand inserts a semen straw into her vulva. Using the hand that is already inside her, they guide the semen straw into her uterus and release the contents [13]. In order to use AI, semen must be collected. There are a few methods, but all involve exciting the animal, either with a female, fake female, or mounting device, and collecting the semen inside an ‘artificial vagina’ that has a vial attachment on the end [14, 15].

To the dairy industry, ‘bobby calves’ are newborn calves without their mothers, and are considered a surplus to the industry as they are not required for the dairy herd. While roughly three-quarters of females are kept to replace ‘spent’ dairy cows, and both sexes may be used for veal or beef production, many are killed straight after birth on the farm, or within a week of life at a slaughterhouse. Every year roughly 500,000 bobby calves are slaughtered in Australia [16].

Cows descend from the Wild Ox and have been genetically altered through selective breeding to increase desired traits, like milk production. Up until the 1800s, the average milk yield of a cow was around 1,000 litres per year, enough to sustain and grow her calf into adulthood. By the 1950s, dairy cows in most countries were producing around 3,000 litres per year, and now in the 2000s, cows can produce up to 10,000 litres every year [17 PDF, 18]. In Australia, cows average around 6,169 litres [19].

The ability of all mammals to reproduce and produce milk slows down at a certain age. As a result, the industry calls these females ‘spent’ as they are no longer economically viable to keep, and sends them to slaughter.While cows can live for 20+ years, the typical dairy cow will be sent to slaughter at just 7 years old, often while they are pregnant. Some individuals break down by the age of 3, and few last until they are 10 [20].

The environment

 

Almost 80% of the world’s agricultural land is used for farming animals. According to the ABS, in Australia, 4 million hectares of land is owned by dairy businesses and is used for grazing [21]. According to a global study, just one kilogram of milk requires roughly 8.95m2 of land, while cheese requires 87.79m2 [22]!

The dairy industry is a major user of water across the globe. In Australia, the industry accounts for 10% of water use [23]. According to the Save Water website, top operators use 500 litres of freshwater to produce 1 litre of cow milk [24], while the average remains between 628 and 800 litres [25]. One kilogram of cow cheese, on the other hand, requires 5,605 litres of water [26]!

In Australia alone, over 4,650,000,000,000* litres of freshwater is used to produce just 9.3 billion litres of milk annually. *This figure is based on the top operator use of 500 litres of freshwater per 1 litre of cow milk.

Our health

 

Humans are the only species to consume milk after weaning into adulthood, and are also the only ones to drink milk from another species. The purpose of milk is to help a newborn grow and develop into adulthood. Approximately 65% of adults around the world have lactose intolerance [27]. As an infant, our bodies naturally produce a digestive enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose from our mother’s milk. As we grow, and no longer need milk, our body stops producing this enzyme [28]. 

A Harvard study found that milk consumption during teenage years was not associated with a lower risk of hip fractures in older adults. Further, it found a 9% increase in risk for men who drank an additional glass of milk per day during their teenage years [29]. Another study found that high intakes of dairy products, such as milk, low-fat milk, cheese, anddairycalcium sources (but not supplemental non-dairy calcium), may increase one’s risk of prostate cancer. The results for the different types of dairy products and sources of calcium suggest that other components of dairy, rather than fat and calcium, may increase prostate cancer risk [30]. The consumption of dairy can increase the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer [31].

Vegan Dairy

Are you interested in giving up dairy but not sure where to start? Here is a list of some of the amazing dairy alternatives that are available in your local supermarket or online!

Milk

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There are far too many brands to list here. You can find them in your local supermarket in both the fridge and long-life section! 

Types:

Soy - High in protein, creamy, can be used in anything!
Oat - High in protein and fibre, excellent in coffee and baked goods.
Coconut - Creamy, sweet, great for cooking, ice-cream, and in coffee.
Almond - Great for cooking, cereal, and coffee.
Hemp - High in nutrients (calcium, vitamin D, protein, omega-3), better in savoury dishes.
Pea - High in protein, calcium, and omega-3, great for smoothies and cooking.
Rice - Light, neutral flavour, not good for anything that needs to be creamy.
Cashew - Creamy, rich in protein, great for ice cream!
Macadamia - Nutty flavour, great for matcha lattes, mochas, and baked goods.

Butter

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  • Naturli – 100% Plant-Based Butter (Coles, Woolworths)

  • Nuttelex – Buttery Table Spread, Original, Pulse Buttery, Olive Table Spread (Coles, Woolworths)

  • Flora Plant – Dairy Free Vegan Spread (Coles, Woolworths)

Savoury

Cheese

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You won’t be saying “but cheese” with this epic range of alternatives.

Cream Cheese

Schmear it on a bagel, use them in a frosting or in a cheesecake!

Cheddar

These cheddar blocks, slices, and shreds are perfect with crackers, nachos, mac and cheese, or in toasties!

Mozzarella

Parmesan

Halloumi

Make your own vegan halloumi skewers, with this recipe from Exceedingly Vegan.

Feta

Cheeseboards

Love a cheese platter? So many brands are bringing out vegan cheeses perfect for any occasion.

Sour Cream

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Sour Cream

Mains

 

For any mains that ask for dairy products, simply use one of the replacements listed under the alternatives above. With the list above you can recreate your favourites, from burgers to pizzas, lazagne, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Sweets

Yoghurt

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Make your own homemade Greek yoghurt, with this recipe from Darn Good Veggies, or pick one up on your next grocery shop!

  • Coyo – Natural Coconut Yoghurt Vegan (Coles, Woolworths)

  • Cocobella – Vanilla, Passionfruit, Coconut,

  • Nakula – Plant Based Probiotic, Mango, Natural, Passionfruit, Unsweetened (Woolworths)

  • Activia – Probiotics Dairy Free (Woolworths)

  • So Delicious – Dairy Free Vanilla, Strawberry (Woolworths, Coles)

  • Coles – Dairy Free Coconut Yoghurt

Ice-Cream

 

Make your own:

Or leave it to the experts who have perfected the creamy goodness without the cow!

  • So Delicious – Creamy Chocolate, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Cookies n Cream, Snickerdoodle, Salted Caramel Cluster, Dark Chocolate Truffle, Banana (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop, Woolworths)

  • So Delicious – Coconut Sandwiches, Dipped Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

  • Pana Organic – Peanut Butter & Raspberry, Banana & Caramel, Passionfruit Ripple, Toffee Pecan, Boysenberry Cheesecake, Double Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean (Coles, Woolworths)

  • Ben & Jerry’s – Chocolate Chip Cookiee Dough, Unfudge our Future, Chocolate Caramel Cluster, Chocolate Fudge, Peanut Butter & Cookies

  • Magnum – Dairy Free Classic, Almond (Coles, Woolworths, All About Empathy)

  • Streets – Cornetto Vegan Vanilla (Coles, Woolworths)

  • Coles – Dairy Free Chocolate Coconut Peanut

  • Sanitarium – So Good Vanilla Bliss Frozen Dessert Tub (Coles)

  • Plantitude – Frozen Dessert Cookies and Cream, Vanilla, Chocolate (Woolworths)

  • Fropro – Singles Vanilla Dipped, Dairy Free Chocolate Frozen Dessert (Woolworths)

Custard

 

Make your own!

Or use one of these custard powders: 

  • Just Whole Foods – Vanilla Custard Powder (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop, Online)

  • Foster Clarks – Original Custard Powder (Woolworths)

  • Alpro – Velvet Vanilla Soy Dessert Cups All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop, and online)

  • Alpro – Vanilla Custard All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop, and online)

  • Provamel – Dessert-Custard Soya Vanilla All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop, and online)

Cheesecake

 

Chocolate

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Find these and more at the Coles, Woolworths, IGA Cruelty Free Shop, All About Empathy, and online at Flora and Fauna.

  • Vego – Hazelnut Bar, Spread, White Chocolate, Nuts & Berries, Vegolino Pralines (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Go Max Go – Cleo’s Peanut Butter Cups, Twilight Candy Bar, Jokerz (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Clarana – Candy Coated Choc Buttons (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Loving Earth – Salted Caramel, Nutty Mr Maple, Very Buck ‘N Berry, White (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Pana Organic – Salted Caramel, Macadamia, Vanilla (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Kresho – Almond Nougat Bar (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Treat Dreams – Caramel Chocolate Bear, Strawberry Chocolate Bear, Peppermint Chocolate Bear, Cookies and Cream Bar, Dark Chocolate Dream Egg, Berries & Cream Bar (All About Empathy, Cruelty Free Shop)

  • Pico – Salted Caramel, Coconut Milk, Almond Milk, Hazelnut Milk, Super Dark, Mint Crisp, Sea Salt

Mousse

 

Pancakes

 

These fluffy pancakes don’t need dairy or eggs! 

Meet Clarabelle and Valentine

Clarabelle and Valentine live at Edgars Mission.

Clarabelle, a ‘spent’ jersey cow, was rescued from the dairy industry while she was pregnant. Edgar’s Mission managed to save her before she was sent to slaughter, taking her to the happiest place she could ever imagine. After years of pregnancies, stolen babies, and milking machines, life as she knew it was about to change.

On Valentine’s day, the team noticed that Clarabelle wasn’t acting herself. She was last to the feeding station, kept casting a glance behind her, and had an engorged teat. This meant one thing – she had given birth early and was hiding her baby to protect them. The team quickly began looking around the paddock, as a nervous Clarabelle watched on. Hidden inside a small patch of forest, among the tall grass and fallen logs, was a bundle of brownness. The tiny heifer was named Valentine in honour of the love between mother cows and their babies.

Gazing up at the humans with big brown bug eyes, was the sweetest little face. The volunteers quickly realised that she wasn’t a newborn! Her mother had successfully hidden her for a few days, cleaning both her and the afterbirth up and leaving no trace of her birth.

Clarabelle vividly remembers how her babies had been taken from her on the dairy farm, and she wanted to make sure that she would get to keep and care for her baby this time, as nature intended. Even though Valentine was left with her mother, Clarabelle continued to hide her in different places around the sanctuary, nervous that her heart would once again be broken.

Thankfully, six years on, Clarabelle and Valentine are living in peace at Edgar’s Mission and will spend the rest of their days safe, together. Support the wonderful work of Edgar’s Mission by donating today.

The dairy industry paints a picture of rolling fields and happy cows when in reality, it is founded on the exploitation of mothers and the deaths of their babies. Clarabelle and Valentine live at Edgars Mission.

Clarabelle, a ‘spent’ jersey cow, was rescued from the dairy industry while she was pregnant. Edgar’s Mission managed to save her before she was sent to slaughter, taking her to the happiest place she could ever imagine. After years of pregnancies, stolen babies, and milking machines, life as she knew it was about to change.

On Valentine’s day, the team noticed that Clarabelle wasn’t acting herself. She was last to the feeding station, kept casting a glance behind her, and had an engorged teat. This meant one thing – she had given birth early and was hiding her baby to protect them. The team quickly began looking around the paddock, as a nervous Clarabelle watched on. Hidden inside a small patch of forest, among the tall grass and fallen logs, was a bundle of brownness. The tiny heifer was named Valentine in honour of the love between mother cows and their babies.

Gazing up at the humans with big brown bug eyes, was the sweetest little face. The volunteers quickly realised that she wasn’t a newborn! Her mother had successfully hidden her for a few days, cleaning both her and the afterbirth up and leaving no trace of her birth.

Clarabelle vividly remembers how her babies had been taken from her on the dairy farm, and she wanted to make sure that she would get to keep and care for her baby this time, as nature intended. Even though Valentine was left with her mother, Clarabelle continued to hide her in different places around the sanctuary, nervous that her heart would once again be broken.

Thankfully, six years on, Clarabelle and Valentine are living in peace at Edgar’s Mission and will spend the rest of their days safe, together. Support the wonderful work of Edgar’s Mission by donating today.

The dairy industry paints a picture of rolling fields and happy cows when in reality, it is founded on the exploitation of mothers and the deaths of their babies.

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