Dairy Bull Calf Welfare: Addressing the Male Side of Milk Production

Male calves born in dairy herds have no role in milk production and are either shot at birth, exported for veal, or reared for beef, with welfare outcomes varying enormously depending on which pathway they enter.

Key Facts

Approximately 50% of dairy calves born are male, creating a chronic surplus of animals with no role in dairy production
An estimated 60,000-95,000 bull calves were shot at birth annually in the UK before practices began to shift
Export of dairy bull calves for veal to EU countries involves long transport journeys at a very young age
Rose veal production in the UK provides an alternative that keeps male calves alive with welfare standards in UK conditions
Sexed semen technology that produces predominantly female calves is reducing the number of surplus male calves born
Beef-dairy cross breeding using semen from beef bulls produces male calves with better growth rates and market value

Welfare Considerations

Dairy bull calf welfare represents the hidden male dimension of milk production welfare. The decision about what happens to male calves is made before they are born, by the choice of breeding strategy, and after birth by market conditions and farm policy. Shooting at birth, while causing individual calf deaths, may have a better welfare outcome than long transport to low-welfare veal production. Welfare-positive outcomes include rose veal with UK standards, beef-cross production, or sexed semen to reduce surplus males. Consumer choices that create demand for rose veal and support for sexed semen adoption both improve welfare for the male calves of dairy cows.

What You Can Do

Choose rose veal from UK-assured producers as a welfare-positive use of dairy bull calves over imported veal
Support dairy farms that use beef-cross or sexed semen breeding to reduce surplus male calf numbers
Ask dairy retailers about their bull calf policy and whether they have commitments against shooting at birth
Advocate for dairy industry standards to require a welfare-positive outcome plan for all male calves born