The Leeuwarden calf market has bought a mobile water tank in order to facilitate giving water (with electrolytes) to each calf on the market before she or he is loaded for transport. The managers of the market organized this after our previous visit where we expressed our concern that not all calves were given something to drink before being loaded. Watering the calves was … [Read more...] about Improved drinking supply for calves at market in Leeuwarden, NL
calves
Unannounced visit to Leeuwarden veal market (NL)
Today Eyes on Animals made an unannounced visit to the veal market in Leeuwarden (NL) where on average 600-800 calves, between the age of 2-3 weeks, are sold for further fattening. The calves were kept in groups and were provided with thick bed of straw to stand and lie on. Some of the calves were seen jumping around, enjoying their new-found freedom. The majority of the … [Read more...] about Unannounced visit to Leeuwarden veal market (NL)
Visit of calf slaughterhouse Fuite Veal
Today we visited Vuite Feal, a calf slaughterhouse in Tubbergen (NL). Fuite Veal is a relatively new slaughterhouse. We were allowed to observe the entire slaughterhouse: The unloading of trucks, the lairage, the raceway and the stunning area. The handling of the calves went smoothly and without too much distress, but we did have some recommendations to improve the … [Read more...] about Visit of calf slaughterhouse Fuite Veal
Dairy farmer who keeps the calves in the herd says it is of course possible!
Terrific letter to the editor published today in the Leeuwarden Courant, a daily paper from Friesland. It was written by one of the Dutch dairy farmers that keep the calves in the herd with their mothers for 2-4 months, instead of separating them at birth and raising them for 2-3 weeks in single small pens and then transporting the males and 65% of the females off the farm … [Read more...] about Dairy farmer who keeps the calves in the herd says it is of course possible!
Still no calf-friendly milk in supermarkets
In order to obtain milk from a cow, a calf needs to be born. On dairy farms these calves are removed from their mother immediately after birth and put in a small wooden pen or in an igloo. Thus the milk we buy in supermarkets is produced by cows who have never been given an opportunity to take care of their calf. The calves are fed with powdered milk and drink out of a … [Read more...] about Still no calf-friendly milk in supermarkets
Meeting with a group of farmers from CONO Beemster cheese
Yesterday, a team of EonA was invited to a meeting of dairy farmers who supply their milk to Cono, that uses the milk to make Beemster Cheese. For Cono the well-being of the cows have a very high priority. For example, 95% of the cows are grazing, for which Cono rewards the farmers with a bonus. We wanted to talk to them about the welfare of calves. Eyes on Animals is … [Read more...] about Meeting with a group of farmers from CONO Beemster cheese
EonA brings Marqt supermarket to Zonnehoeve dairy farm, NL
Eyes on Animals team visited Zonnehoeve dairy farm today together with Marqt, the Dutch "fair" supermarket chain. We brought Marqt and the Zonnehoeve dairy farmer together to see about the possibilities of selling the Zonnehoeve milk in their stores with an appropriate label indicating what makes it so special: the calves remain with their mothers for at least 3-4 months … [Read more...] about EonA brings Marqt supermarket to Zonnehoeve dairy farm, NL
Trailing of Kroes & Jansma calf truck from Poland to the Netherlands
On March 27th we visited the export and control post “Dam-Pol” in Poland, owned by a Dutch animal trader. At that moment very young calves - 2 to 5 weeks of age - were present. They were given the 24 hrs rest as stipulated by the EU Transport regulation. Final destination was a veal farm in the Netherlands. Transport was carried out by Kroes & Jansma. We decided to … [Read more...] about Trailing of Kroes & Jansma calf truck from Poland to the Netherlands
Inspection of Purmerend calf market, NL
Today we made an unannounced visit to Purmerend calf market. It remains unfortunate that the current milk industry is based on separating calves from their mothers immediately after birth in order to keep the price of milk as low as possible, and then at only 2 weeks of age sending many of them to a market which adds further stress to these young and fragile animals. But … [Read more...] about Inspection of Purmerend calf market, NL
Visit of dairy farm “De Regte Heijden” in Riel, NL
Today Eyes on Animals visited a dairy farm called "De Regte Heijden" , located in Brabant. A few years ago the owners decided to change the way they ran their farm. They stopped running it intensively and started developing a new system that would better protect animal well-being and the environment. All the cattle live in a family herd. Both male and female calves stay … [Read more...] about Visit of dairy farm “De Regte Heijden” in Riel, NL
