Day of honour for the cow
from the perspective of our calves Henni and Garfield and blind Darla
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Domestic cattle evolved around 10,000 years ago, when humans tamed the wild aurochs in the course of settling down and kept them as livestock. The extinct aurochs is considered the progenitor of the domestic cattle breeds. Its range extended from India to the Middle East, where it formed its own subspecies around 300,000 years ago, and later also became native to North Africa and Europe. The aurochs became extinct, and in 1920 German and Polish researchers began to breed the aurochs.
The suffering of cows in the modern dairy industry
The life of a dairy cow begins at around 15 months. This is the average age at which cows are inseminated for the first time. Cows only benefit the dairy industry if they give milk, and they only do so if they have a calf. Insemination takes place this early to minimise rearing costs.
After birth, mother and offspring are usually separated quickly. The early separation takes place so that the animals do not develop a close bond with each other. If they are separated too late, they often search and call desperately for each other.Biologically speaking, the cow produces milk for her calf. From an industry perspective, however, the milk is intended for the consumer. That is why the cow is fertilised again and again. In large barns, the bond between cow and calf lasts a few days. Calves without a mum are nervous, make more noises and stick their heads out of the barn to search.
Numerous calves are reared in the igloo and driven to the slaughterhouse in due course.It’s not about a sentimental cuddly mentality – it’s about rethinking. The suffering of animals will only stop if people think more about the way they eat.
Henni, Garfield and Darla got a second chance
Little Henniwas born on an organic farm in Styria. The calf weighed just 6 kg at birth. The family did not want to give Henni away because they had grown very fond of her. Henni was never ill and was always very easy to care for, good-natured and easy to love. Henni came to Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf when she was just under a year old because she could not be kept in the herd of organic cows. The risk of little Henni being attacked was too great.
With Garfield, everything was “wrong” right from the start. Even at birth, Garfield came out of his mum’s body differently than any other calf. Garfield had to be resuscitated, swallowed amniotic fluid and developed pneumonia. He struggled to drink, but little Garfield fought with his humans for the most precious thing: his life. He was born with a small stature. The farmer’s children loved little Garfield more than anything, took him for walks and Garfield had a reputation for being “a really cool sock”.
Darla was born without eyes. The owners were determined to keep Darla alive because she was full of energy and the will to live. However, the farm did not have the appropriate facilities for a blind calf, so Darla was brought to Henndorf. Darla took her first steps in her new surroundings very cautiously. Everything smelled different from where she came from. She now recognises the voices of her humans and is guided by them. Her two friends Henni and Garfield have probably become the best support in Darla’s life.
And now there’s a Scottish grandad for our special calves: the Scottish Highland cow Sammy. He’s really blossoming in his new role as grandad. It’s all good, you just have to let it happen.
Animals cannot speak for themselves. And that is why it is so important that we as humans raise our voices for them and stand up for them.
– Gillian Anderson, actress
On that note: let the animals do the talking. Herzlichst, Ihre Gisela
