From Cow to Cup: The Journey of Dairy Most Consumers Don't See

Recent research has revealed a significant knowledge gap among the British public regarding how dairy products are produced. A YouGov survey commissioned by Animal Justice Project found that more than half of UK adults were unaware that cows must be made pregnant and give birth each year to produce milk¹. This disconnect between consumer understanding and the realities of food production illustrates why transparent, educational resources are essential for informed decision-making. The following deep dive aims to shed light on the dairy production process in a straightforward, factual manner to help bridge this knowledge gap. Through understanding the full journey from farm to table, consumers can make choices that align with their values and priorities.

The Biological Reality of Milk Production

Milk production is fundamentally tied to mammalian reproduction, a biological fact that applies to cows just as it does to humans. Like all female mammals, cows produce milk for the specific purpose of nourishing their young after giving birth ^2,3. Their bodies begin lactating after pregnancy as a natural biological response to having offspring. This process involves hormonal changes that trigger milk production in the mammary glands once a calf is born. What many consumers don't realize is that without pregnancy and birth, there would be no milk production.

In natural settings, a cow would nurse her calf for 7-9 months while gradually reducing milk production after the initial months.^2,3 However, the dairy industry requires continuous milk production to remain economically viable. To maintain this production, dairy cows are typically impregnated annually, creating a cycle where they are simultaneously producing milk from a previous pregnancy while carrying a new calf.^2,3 This biological reality is one that 52% of British adults surveyed were unaware of, highlighting a fundamental gap in consumer understanding about where dairy products originate¹.

From Birth to Separation: The First Days of Dairy Production

One of the most surprising findings from the YouGov survey was that 83% of people were unaware that calves are typically separated from their mothers within 24 hours of birth¹. This early separation is standard practice in commercial dairy operations worldwide and represents one of the most emotionally charged aspects of milk production ^6,7. The separation occurs because allowing calves to remain with their mothers would significantly reduce the amount of milk available for commercial collection.^6,7

The mother-calf bond forms quickly after birth, with cows being protective and nurturing parents. Cows carry their young for approximately nine months—similar to humans—and typically form strong maternal bonds with their calves.^{6 7} Research has documented that both mother cows and calves show signs of distress when separated, with mothers often calling for their calves for days afterward and exhibiting searching behaviours ^6,7. This separation creates significant stress for both animals, yet it remains a standard industry practice largely unknown to consumers.

As Claire Palmer, founder and director of Animal Justice Project, states: "Like human mothers, they love their babies immensely. The suffering they endure when those calves are torn away within hours of birth is unimaginable"¹.

The Lifecycle of a Dairy Cow

The typical productive life of a dairy cow is remarkably shorter than their natural lifespan—a fact that 83% of survey respondents were unaware of.¹ While cows can naturally live between 20-30 years, most dairy cows are sent to slaughter between 5-7 years of age when their milk production begins to decline.^8,9This early culling is primarily an economic decision, as maintaining cows whose milk output has decreased becomes less profitable for dairy operations.

The lifecycle begins when female calves born into the dairy industry are raised to eventually replace their mothers in the milking herd. Starting at around 15 months of age, heifers (young female cows) are artificially inseminated for the first time, beginning their productive cycle. After giving birth, they typically undergo what the industry calls a "dry period" of about two months between lactation cycles before being reimpregnated. This continuous cycle of pregnancy, birth, lactation, and reimpregnation continues until productivity declines, at which point they enter the meat supply chain—typically as ground beef or processed meat products rather than premium cuts.

The Fate of Dairy Calves

The destiny of calves born into the dairy industry varies significantly based on their sex and the specific practices of the farm. Female calves often become replacement animals for the milking herd, continuing the cycle of dairy production. However, male calves, who cannot produce milk, present an economic challenge to dairy operations. Almost half of these calves are then absorbed by the beef industry for slaughter ³.

Male calves typically face several possible outcomes: some are raised for veal production, others are raised for beef, and in some cases, they may be killed shortly after birth if raising them is deemed uneconomical. The veal industry is directly connected to dairy production, representing one of the interconnected aspects of animal agriculture that remains obscure to many consumers. Female calves not needed for herd replacement may also enter meat production channels or, in some cases, be exported to other dairy operations.

Understanding these interconnections helps consumers recognize that dairy production doesn't exist in isolation but is deeply intertwined with other sectors of animal agriculture, creating a more complete picture of how food systems operate.

Environmental Considerations in Dairy Production

Dairy production, like all forms of agriculture, has significant environmental implications that form an important part of the ethical conversation. Modern dairy farming requires substantial resources, including land for grazing and growing feed crops, water for animals and crop irrigation, and energy for operation. The environmental footprint extends beyond the farm itself to include processing, packaging, refrigeration, and transportation.¹⁰

One of the most significant environmental concerns is greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy cows produce methane through enteric fermentation (a digestive process), and their manure releases both methane and nitrous oxide—greenhouse gases that are more potent than carbon dioxide.¹⁰ Additionally, dairy operations contribute to land use changes, water usage concerns, and potential water pollution through manure management challenges. Understanding these environmental aspects provides consumers with a more complete picture of the broader impacts of their food choices beyond the direct animal welfare considerations.

Video Caption: Aerial view of dairy cows moving through muddy enclosures and receding flood waters after a series of eight atmospheric rivers battered the state of California since late December 2022. Elk Grove, California, USA, January 13, 2023. Alex Akamine Photography / We Animals

The Nutritional Reality: Dairy and Alternatives

Dairy products have traditionally been promoted as essential foods, particularly for calcium and protein. While dairy certainly contains these nutrients, nutritional science has evolved to recognize that they can be obtained from various sources. Many plant-based alternatives now offer comparable nutritional profiles, often with fortification to match key nutrients found in dairy. Understanding the nutritional facts helps consumers make informed decisions based on both ethical considerations and health needs.^{11, 12,14}

Plant-based alternatives have expanded dramatically in recent years, with options made from soy, oats, almonds, coconut, and other plants. Each alternative offers different nutritional benefits and environmental impacts. For instance, oat milk typically has a lower environmental footprint than almond milk in terms of water usage, while soy milk often provides protein content closest to dairy milk. The survey indicated that despite knowing little about the dairy industry, one-third of Brits are still willing to have oat milk as the default option in cafes¹, suggesting an openness to alternatives even without full awareness of dairy production practices.^{11, 12,14}

Andy Shovel, co-founder of the popular plant-based meat brand THIS, recently established abitweird.org. He comments on the survey results: "As a nation, we pride ourselves in kindness towards animals: we were the first country to introduce animal protection laws, the first to ban fur farms, and god forbid someone leaves a dog in a hot car. But when it comes to the dairy industry - ignorance is bliss"¹.

Transparency and Consumer Rights

Perhaps one of the most telling statistics from the YouGov survey was that only 18% of people agreed that dairy companies provide consumers with enough information about how milk and dairy products are produced¹. This perceived lack of transparency highlights a fundamental issue in food systems: consumers cannot make truly informed choices without access to comprehensive information about production methods.

As CEO and founder of The Freedom Food Alliance I personally find it deeply concerning that only 18% of people feel that dairy companies provide enough information about how their products are made. This lack of transparency isn't just an oversight—it's part of a wider pattern of misinformation that allows the industry to maintain public support while concealing the routine mistreatment of cows and calves. People have the right to make informed choices about the food they consume, but that's impossible when key facts are deliberately hidden¹.

Food transparency encompasses not just ingredient listings but also production methods, animal welfare standards, environmental impacts, and labor practices. The gap between consumer perception and industry reality suggests that current marketing and labeling practices may not provide sufficient information for truly informed decision-making. Addressing this transparency deficit requires both industry accountability and consumer education initiatives like this one.

When consumers understand the full context of their food choices, they can align those choices with their personal values whether those prioritize animal welfare, environmental sustainability, health considerations, or other factors. This empowerment through knowledge represents a fundamental consumer right that transcends any particular dietary choice.

Making Informed Choices

With greater awareness of dairy production practices, consumers can make decisions that better align with their personal values. For those concerned about the practices outlined in this article, numerous options exist for reducing or eliminating dairy consumption. Plant-based alternatives continue to improve in taste, texture, and nutritional value, making the transition easier than ever before.

For consumers who choose to continue including dairy in their diets, seeking products from farms with higher welfare standards may align better with their values. Options like pasture-raised dairy or products from farms with specific welfare certifications can represent a middle ground for those not ready to eliminate dairy entirely. Reading labels carefully, researching brands, and asking questions about sourcing and production methods empowers consumers to make choices consistent with their ethical perspectives.

Ultimately, the goal of providing this information is not to dictate consumer choices but to ensure those choices are made with complete awareness of what they support. Whether choosing conventional dairy, higher-welfare dairy options, or plant-based alternatives, informed decision-making represents a powerful form of consumer agency in shaping food systems.

Conclusion

The significant knowledge gap revealed by the YouGov survey illustrates how disconnected many have become from the realities of food production. In an era where transparency is increasingly valued, understanding the full journey of dairy products from farm to table allows consumers to make choices that genuinely reflect their values. The fact that more than half of British adults were unaware of fundamental aspects of dairy production suggests that more educational resources like this are needed¹.

The Veganuary founder Matthew Glover commented on the survey results, saying: "These results are a serious eye-opener and it is clear that the public has no idea what happens to cows in the UK in the production of dairy products. It's shocking that more than half of Brits are not aware that cows must be forcibly impregnated each year in order to enable milk production - it's time we were enlightened and educated as part of a kinder and more sustainable society"¹.

Claire Palmer, founder of Animal Justice Project, put it plainly: "In 2025, it is absurd that most people still don't realise that, just like humans, cows must be pregnant to lactate. But it's also no surprise, given the systematic disinformation the dairy industry has spread for decades"¹.

As we navigate food choices in an increasingly complex system, information becomes our most valuable tool for alignment between our values and our actions. By understanding the biological necessities of milk production, the standard practices of the dairy industry, and the available alternatives, consumers can approach their food decisions with greater clarity and purpose. This knowledge doesn't prescribe any particular dietary choice, but rather ensures that whatever choice is made comes from a place of genuine understanding rather than marketing narratives or assumptions.

The conversations around food production will continue to evolve, but the foundation of those conversations must be factual information presented in accessible ways.

Through education rather than judgment, we can collectively work toward food systems that better reflect our shared values around animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and consumer rights.

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