Frequently Asked Questions
Where does veal come from?
How long does a veal calf stay with the dairy cow?
When and why is a veal calf separated from the cow?
How big are veal calves when they are marketed?
What does milk-fed veal mean?
Is it true that veal calves are kept in the dark?
Are veal calves kept in crates?
What about the claim that veal calves are kept weak and anemic?
Does keeping a calf in the dark produce light meat?
Are veal calves routinely given massive amounts of drugs?
What percentage of veal is government inspected?
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Where does veal come from?
Virtually all veal calves are the male offspring of dairy cows. Dairy cows give birth once a year in order to continue producing milk. While female offspring serve as replacement animals for the milking herd, male calves had little value to the dairy farmer prior to the establishment of the special-fed veal industry.
How long does a veal calf stay with the dairy cow?
Both male and female offspring of dairy cows are normally separated from cows within hours of giving birth. This separation allows dairy cows to "go back to work" producing milk for human consumption. Certain udder diseases in cows and intestinal problems in calves can be more effectively controlled with early separation. Furthermore, there is the chance that the calf could be injured by the much larger cows when the mother is returned to the milking herd after calving.
When and why is a veal calf separated from the cow?
While male and female calves are not with the dairy cow following birth, they will receive her colostrum, or first milk, within 24 hours. Full of antibodies and essential nutrients, colostrum gives the calves' immune systems a healthy boost. Early separation also allows the dairy farmer to measure the amount of colostrums the calf receives, at the proper timing.
How big are veal calves when they are marketed?
Milk-Fed Veal calves are marketed at a weight of 475-500 pounds. Typically, veal producers buy surplus dairy bull calves at about 100-120 pounds and care for them for approximately 18-20 weeks to reach this large size.
What does milk-fed veal mean?
Milk-fed, special-fed and formula-fed are names given to nutritionally balanced milk received by veal calves. These milk diets contain iron and 40 other essential nutrients including amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins.
Is it true that veal calves are kept in the dark?
No. According to guidelines developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), milk-fed veal calves should be and are housed in a well-lit barn. Lighting, whether from natural or artificial sources, allows family veal producers to easily monitor calves for changes in behavior or eating patterns.
Are veal calves kept in crates?
Far from the four-sided "crate" portrayed by some activist groups, modern veal stalls are designed to partition the animals only up to the shoulder level, ensuring calves visual and physical interaction with their neighbors. Individual housing allows animals to receive their own feed, individual care and attention. Most importantly, individual housing stalls have been shown to help prevent the spread of disease by minimizing calf-to-calf contact. Calves can comfortably lay in a natural position, stand up and groom themselves.
What about the claim that veal calves are kept weak and anemic?
Veal producers carefully watch each calf to be sure it is not suffering any clinical symptoms of anemia, such as weakness or loss of appetite. Calves must receive diets with iron to meet the animals' requirements for normal health and behavior. A calf that does not eat will not grow.
Does keeping a calf in the dark produce light meat?
No. This is a complete myth. The presence or absence of light has no effect on muscle color. The light meat results from the age of the calf and the level of myoglobin in the muscle. Myoglobin produces a red pigment that affects the color of the meat.
Are veal calves routinely given massive amounts of drugs?
Absolutely not. The only time that veal calves receive "therapeutic" doses of antibiotics (levels high enough to treat illness) is when they are sick and then it is on the advice of a veterinarian. As soon as the animal recovers, the use of therapeutic medication is discontinued. In fact, milk-fed veal calves have a stellar record of receiving one of the lowest levels of antibiotics among all livestock.
What percentage of veal is government inspected?
Federal regulations dictate that all food-producing animals marketed, including veal calves, be visually inspected for signs of disease and other food safety concerns. If visual inspection shows a potential problem, the meat is held and tested. If any of these tests show violation for residue, the meat is pulled it never reaches the food supply.
