Regardless of region, demand for these calves is often very low, driving down prices and in some cases leaving farmers with no alternative options other than on-farm euthanasia. The fate of these surplus calves varies by region for example, in Australia and New Zealand they are often sold as “bobby” calves and slaughtered within the first weeks of life whereas, in North America they are normally sold within the first weeks of life but reared for 16–18 weeks as veal or longer as dairy beef. Surplus dairy calves consist of all dairy bull calves and any heifer calves not needed as replacements for the milking herd. 3Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.2Dairy Australia, Southbank, VIC, Australia.1Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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