My Visit To A Dairy Farm

This document, titled "My Visit to a Dairy Farm" by Pravin K. Shah, published by the JAINA Education Committee, details the author's observations and reflections on the dairy industry, primarily from a Jain perspective.

Key Observations and Arguments:

• Cruelty in Dairy Farming (USA and India): The author recounts a visit to a dairy farm in Vermont, USA, in 1995. He describes the harsh realities of modern dairy production, including:
  • Intensive Milking: Cows are milked by machines, which the author believes causes suffering, sometimes leading to blood in the milk.
  • Forced Pregnancies: Cows are kept pregnant for most of their lives through artificial insemination to maximize milk production.
  • Male Calf Disposal: Male calves, considered useless to the dairy industry, are immediately sold to the veal industry, where they are raised in confined, dark conditions and fed an iron-deficient diet to produce tender meat. The author describes the distressing cries of mother cows separated from their calves.
  • Confinement and Waste: Cows are often tied in one place, living in their own waste, with limited outdoor access.
  • Early Slaughter: Cows are slaughtered after only 4-5 years when their milk production declines, long before their natural lifespan of 15-20 years. Their bodies are used for cheap meat and various by-products.
  • Indian Dairy Practices: The author notes similar or worse conditions in Indian dairy farms, with even fewer regulations, and highlights that many Indian dairies rely on local cowherds who also keep cows pregnant continuously and sell a large percentage of calves to the beef or veal industries.
• "Organic" Milk is Not Cruelty-Free: The author argues that even organic dairy farms, while avoiding antibiotics and hormones, often engage in similar practices of forced pregnancies, calf sales to slaughter, and early slaughter of adult cows. He points out that organic cows produce less milk, requiring more cows to be raised and subsequently slaughtered for the same amount of milk.
• Health Benefits of Veganism: Based on his own experience and research after becoming vegan at age 55, the author highlights the health advantages of a pure vegetarian (vegan) diet. He discusses:
  • Calcium and Protein: Debunking the myth that milk is essential for strong bones, he explains that animal protein can leach calcium from bones, while plant-based calcium sources are better absorbed.
  • Cholesterol: Pure vegetarian diets contain no cholesterol, and the body produces sufficient cholesterol naturally. Consuming animal products leads to excess cholesterol, which can cause heart problems.
  • Saturated and Unsaturated Fats: Saturated fats, found in animal products and some plant oils, can increase cholesterol production. A healthy diet minimizes both.
  • Vitamin B-12: While B-12 is found in animal products, vegans can obtain it from fortified foods or supplements.
  • Milk and Prostate Cancer: Studies suggest a link between dairy consumption and an increased risk of prostate cancer, as well as other cancers.
• Jain Religious Principles and Dairy Consumption:
  • Ahimsa (Non-violence): The author emphasizes that non-violence is the highest Jain principle. While Jainism permits limited violence to one-sensed beings for survival, violence to beings with more senses (including animals) is strictly forbidden for lay people.
  • Dairy vs. Meat: He argues that the cruelty in milk production is arguably worse than in meat production because it involves the prolonged suffering of both mother cows and their calves.
  • Tradition vs. Modern Reality: The author questions the traditional use of milk and dairy products in Jain temple rituals, suggesting that ancient practices may no longer align with current technological realities and the principle of Ahimsa. He advocates for substituting dairy products with vegan alternatives in rituals and celebrations.
  • Community Responsibility: Using dairy products in temples, he posits, makes the entire community responsible for the associated sin, whereas personal consumption is a personal karmic responsibility.

Conclusion:

The author's visit to a dairy farm profoundly impacted him, leading him to become a vegan. He argues that modern dairy farming practices are inherently cruel and that consuming dairy products supports and promotes this cruelty. He urges Jains to re-evaluate their consumption of dairy, even in religious practices, in light of the principle of Ahimsa and the realities of modern animal agriculture. The article includes feedback from readers who were inspired by his work and had also embraced veganism or were considering it.