The calf on the right is female and has the typical doe eyes of children's picture-books. I was stunned to see the difference in appearance between her and the young male. Completely different face!
He was quite skittish, and after this ran behind her and hid, peering out from under her legs.
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In this country, male calves are shot shortly after birth. There is no market (we're told) for the meat of male cattle and veal is considered cruel (looking at the crates typically used, this is true). So it doesn't make economic sense for the farmer to keep them.
There is a farm in the Channel Islands, however, that is trying to change this. It rears its male calves, then sells them for meat. In a blind taste-test amongst farmers and wholesalers, all listed this beef as the best, despite rejecting the idea of it outright beforehand. Maybe young male calves will have time to enjoy a bit of life in future....
THIS one is safe. This is a living museum farm, demonstrating traditional farming methods. It was set up to show that farming can be free range, organic, and wildlife & environment friendly.
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For links to other bloggers taking part in ABC Wednesday, & instructions on how to join in, visit Mrs Nesbitt's Place!
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I never heard of killing the male calves. They are always castrated and raised for meat here.
ReplyDeleteThat calf is a cutie! Interesting info. Nice "C" post.
Very interesting post and the calves are so cute! I've never heard of that either.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I did not realise that the male calves were destroyed in the UK. There is a big dairy farming area on our doorstep, but they have no problem selling all their unwanted calves to speculators.
ReplyDeleteI find it a rather heartless system, but then farming is ultimately about the money
How cute, and how sad that they kill the males.
ReplyDeleteOh such a cute thing. I love any kind of baby.
ReplyDeleteThe calves are so cute. The 2nd photo is the best with the protective mum looking out for her little one.
ReplyDeleteCUTE!!! :)))
ReplyDeleteCalfs and cows have enchanting eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe fate of the male calf was news to me. Around here it is the male sheep who gets it in the neck, but not until they are about half a year old and then they are used as traditional Christmas dinners (and other dishes).
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful cow family.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and so cute! I never ever eat hamurger again....
ReplyDeleteCows, calf .. clever .. I tried to tell JoAnn about the Cow Parade we had here in NY a few years ago but her comment link isnt working .. so I will tell YOU .. ;-o
ReplyDeleteLove those photos
Nice! They have so bsautiful eyes!!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteThat a great C for that sweet CALF!!!and I like the photo's all very much, I love cows and calfs!
Come and see my ABC's photography
JoAnn Holland
Participant in ABC wednesday
What a cute pictures!!! A great C:)
ReplyDeleteCute calves. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots. I love cows and their families. Male calves are raise for beef here in Donegal.
ReplyDeleteI had NO IDEA that the male calves were killed there. Very sad....but very informative post. I"m SOOOOO glad he gets to live....He's a cutie!!!
ReplyDeletegreat pictures of cows - I did a whole post about cows last year at http://ackworthborn.blogspot.com/2007/08/cows.html
ReplyDeleteI love the CURIOUS look in the CLOSE-UP.
ReplyDeletewhat a cute wee one...great pictures
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Thanks for explaining the "economics" of raising calves. Sad, though.
ReplyDeleteI love the way cows (and calves) are always so curious!
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts! Love it.
ReplyDeleteOh now...how sad. I just love this cute calves.
ReplyDeleteCute calf!
ReplyDeleteWant to give him a hug!
Nice series of photos. I enjoyed some of the other pictures on your blog also.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photographs, splendid blog, marvellous post. Nice ABC...
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! My grandfather was a cattle rancher but I know very little about it. Love the photos....and those big brown eyes!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. Came because it's about Yorkshire -- and so am I! I took a look at your drawings too and they are so good! Did you know that you have a real talent for drawing eyes? They are so expressive. I know all about the 'blues' and bipolar and January. Always remember that 'this too will pass' -- because it will. It comes and goes, revel in the good days. I am now 70 and have struggled with this for more than 30 years. But the good days always come again. I also discovered that people who suffer these things are usually highly gifted and intelligent. This bit of information came from Johns Hopkins University who did a study on it. I also suffered some abuse, but mine was mental and psychological. Never mind the hymns, the nuns, the church -- stay close to the Lord because He knows all about it and loves you all the more.
ReplyDeleteI've learnt something new, poor little male calves, huh?
ReplyDeleteHe definitely looks a bit shifty compared to his sister. I never knew that happened to male calves - I always thought the heffers give us the milk and the bulls give us the meat, how wrong was I.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VISITS AND COMMENTS..........
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I haven't answered them all individually but I didn't log on much for a week.... I did get to visit most of you though....
Helena
ChrisJ- many thanks for your message of support ))hugs((
ReplyDeleteOh My! I've been missing out. I love cows. I'd like to kiss their big soft (fig soft?) noses.
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