Dairy bulls are among the most neglected animals in food production systems, with male calves routinely killed at birth or raised in conditions that fail to meet their behavioral and social needs.
Male dairy calves represent one of the more uncomfortable hidden costs of dairy production. The on-farm killing of newborn bull calves — considered the most welfare-friendly option by some welfare scientists because it avoids transport stress — nonetheless represents the disposal of animals as a byproduct of milk production. Calves reared for beef or rose veal face transport and the challenges of systems not designed for their specific needs. Breed-switching programs using beef sires on dairy cows to produce more economically valuable male calves offer a systemic solution that improves both welfare outcomes and economic sustainability.