Following the report published by Eyes on Animals and the TV show Radar about this, the Party for the Animals has filed a motion to further reduce the death rate among male kids and to improve their welfare. Today a majority in the House of Representatives passed the motion. Eyes on Animals is extremely happy that the motion passed. We … [Read more...] about Motion passed to further reduce death rate among male goat kids from the goat dairy industry
dairy farming
EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Together with the Dutch organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide”, a team from Eyes on Animals tested out today how new-born kids could stay with their mothers after being born, instead of being separated and raised without their mothers. To begin we first observed how mother and kids behaved towards each other just after birth and shortly thereafter. This was important to figure … [Read more...] about EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Visit to Dutch slaughterhouse of male goat kids
Today Eyes on Animals paid a visit to a slaughterhouse in the East part of the Netherlands. During our visit, very young male kids of 7-14 day old, as well as fattened male kids of 4-5 weeks old arrived and were slaughtered. Male kids are a “by-product” of goat dairy farming. Thanks partly to pressure from Eyes on Animal, an increasing number of male kids are … [Read more...] about Visit to Dutch slaughterhouse of male goat kids
Visit to organic dairy goat farm “De Bonte Weide”
Today we visited the organic dairy goat farm "De Bonte Weide" owned by Mart-Jan and Willy de Jong. Not only is Mart-Jan an organic goat farmer, he is also chairman of “Groene Geit”, an advocacy group for organic goat farmers. The reason for our visit was an email Eyes on Animals sent to SKAL, the control authority for organic production. In this email we asked … [Read more...] about Visit to organic dairy goat farm “De Bonte Weide”
Successful conference for dairy farmers about new “calf by the cow” concept
Great news ! All of our efforts over the past 6 years at stimulating a real change within the dairy industry are starting to pay off. We really wanted the dairy industry to take more responsibility and show concern for the fate and welfare of the unwanted calves born on dairy farms ! Soon there will be a separate label on dairy products coming from Dutch farms that keep … [Read more...] about Successful conference for dairy farmers about new “calf by the cow” concept
Visit to goat farm Ter Veen where kids stay with their mothers
Today we visited goat farm Ter Veen in Dorkwerd. At Ter Veen, the goat kids (both male and female) stay with their mothers in the herd for at least 12 weeks after birth. This is unusual because on most dairy goat farms the kids are taken away from the mother after birth, to be kept by themselves, in a plastic container and are fed colostrum through a … [Read more...] about Visit to goat farm Ter Veen where kids stay with their mothers
Work at a German dairy farm that produces milk for Eltern Zeit label (keep the calves with their mothers in the herd)
This week Eyes on Animals spent 5 days at a dairy farm in northern Germany that keeps the calves for at least 3 months with their mothers in the herd. It is one of 5 dairy farms in between Hamburg and Flensburg that produces milk for a new label called ElternZeit, which means “ Parent Time”. These dairy farms do not see new-born calves as an unwanted by-product, but … [Read more...] about Work at a German dairy farm that produces milk for Eltern Zeit label (keep the calves with their mothers in the herd)
Visit to dairy goat farm Papen-Olbach
Today we visited dairy goat farm Papen-Olbach in Vragender (NL) to talk about the welfare of billy goats. Although our visit was unannounced, the goat farmer took ample time to exchange ideas with us. He explained to us that animal welfare is very important to them. For several years now their milk goats get to go outside when the weather is good. This wasn’t a natural … [Read more...] about Visit to dairy goat farm Papen-Olbach
Visit to dairy goat farm Van Diepen in Heerhugowaard
Today we made an unannounced visit to dairy goat farm Van Diepen in Heerhugowaard. The owner, Johan, took the time to speak with us and gave us a tour of the lamb section. Johan milks 500 goats. A few years ago he had a specialized stable built for the lambs and consciously chose to also fatten the male lambs (kids) himself. This is because of negative stories about goat … [Read more...] about Visit to dairy goat farm Van Diepen in Heerhugowaard
Succesful meeting between Marqt and ethical dairy farmer
Eyes on Animals organized a meeting between the person in charge of the dairy selection at Marqt supermarket chain and a very caring dairy farmer that we know that keeps the calves with their mothers in the herd for at least 2 months and uses gradual weaning. Today the meeting took place. We met at Marqt headquarters where the Marqt Dairy Chief tasted the cheeses this … [Read more...] about Succesful meeting between Marqt and ethical dairy farmer
