> I would like to second Kathy's observation.  We have numerous dairy farms around here and most of them are extremely clean
> with cows out on pasture as much as possible.  I only see the poorer conditions in the really run-down farms which I think
> are on their way out anyways.  Most of the cows I see are very well taken care of and cleanliness is a key to preventing
> disease and maintaining good milk production.  Which is not to say that there are not many other issues involved in the
> factory-farm animal debate.

I cannot claim to be an expert on dairy farming, but I did visit one
dairy farm here in Québec (near Rivière-du-Loup) about 1.5 years ago and
I was appalled at the lack of hygiene.  In this dairy farm the cows were
chained up indoors, standing in their swill, with trickles running down
their udders (ugh), eating dry hay and corn out of troughs in front of
them.  It was most unpleasant looking.  Given that some of you have seen
nicer looking dairy farms I am willing to admit that they exist (perhaps
some of the smaller places) but this place disgusted me quite
thoroughly.  But then I didn't need any more pushes in order to give up
dairy, as I had already done so.

Fio
(who is actually a cow-lover!)
ressource person with Allaitement Québec
Mama to Sandrine Leïlou, 13/03/00, still nursing

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