Dairy is part of many people’s daily routines, whether it’s a splash in coffee or a slice of cheese on toast. But while the products are easy to access, the lives of the animals behind them remain largely hidden from view because of extensive industry marketing efforts.

A powerful new report by Dr Helen Lambert seeks to change that by drawing on a wealth of scientific research to uncover what life is really like for cows and calves trapped on dairy farms. What the report reveals is deeply concerning, and it challenges many of the assumptions held about dairy farming.

This report is an excellent resource for activists to draw on during outreach as it highlights just how much farming affects cows, on an emotional and cognitive level. You can read the full report here, and we’ve broken it down into eight key points for you, but we really do recommend you go and read the full report. 

1. Cow-Calf Separation: An Emotional Breaking Point

Cows form strong maternal bonds with their calves within just a few hours of birth. In natural conditions, this bond would last many months, sometimes even longer. However, in most commercial dairy systems, calves are taken away from their mothers within hours, so that the milk intended for the calf can be harvested for human consumption.

This early separation is traumatic for both mother and calf. Mothers have been observed calling for their calves for days, pacing, searching, and showing visible signs of distress such as wide eye whites and raised heart rates. Calves exhibit similarly frantic behaviour, vocalising and attempting to reunite with their mothers. Scientific studies have even found that separated calves develop "pessimistic" cognitive biases, interpreting ambiguous situations more negatively, much like humans experiencing depression or chronic stress.

The emotional toll of this routine practice is not short-lived. Both mother and calf can experience long-term psychological and behavioural consequences.

2. Calves are Social Animals though they are Raised in Isolation

In the UK, it is still legal to house calves in solitary pens until they are eight weeks old. While this is often done under the guise of disease control or easier management, it directly conflicts with what science tells us about the social needs of calves.

Calves are naturally social beings. In research settings, they will go out of their way to seek physical contact with other calves, even working to unlock barriers between pens just to be close to one another. Depriving them of this contact can result in emotional blunting, increased fearfulness, and a sharp reduction in play behaviours which is one of the clearest indicators of well-being in young animals.

Solitary housing doesn’t just affect emotions; it also has long-term cognitive impacts, with studies showing impairments in learning, social integration, and overall resilience later in life.

3. Painful Mutilations are Common and Often Performed Without Pain Relief

Many dairy calves undergo routine mutilations, often without adequate anesthesia or follow-up pain management. One of the most common procedures is ‘disbudding’, which involves destroying the horn buds to prevent horn growth. This can be done using a hot iron or caustic paste, both of which cause intense and lasting pain.

Even when pain relief is administered, the suffering can last for weeks. In some cases, paste methods can unintentionally burn other areas of the body. Other painful procedures, such as freeze branding or the removal of extra teats, are frequently carried out with little consideration for the animal's comfort or recovery.

The psychological impact is equally concerning. Calves have been shown to actively avoid areas where mutilations were performed, suggesting these experiences are not only painful but also deeply traumatic.

4. Milking can be a Source of Chronic Stress

There is a widespread belief that cows become accustomed to being milked, and that the process is benign. However, research indicates that the experience can remain stressful throughout a cow’s life, particularly depending on the individual animal’s temperament and past handling.

Some cows become anxious around specific handlers who have previously treated them roughly, and many show aversion behaviours when they hear or see the milking equipment. The stress isn't just behavioural; physiological markers such as increased cortisol levels and heart rate variability also indicate ongoing anxiety for some individuals.

This means that even a routine part of a cow’s daily life trapped in the industry, milking, can be a consistent source of fear or discomfort, particularly in large-scale, high-pressure environments.

5. Cows Have a Strong Natural Drive for Pasture and Movement

Given the choice, cows will go to great lengths to access pasture. In controlled experiments, cows will work just as hard to reach fresh grass as they do to access food—highlighting how important pasture access is to their overall wellbeing.

Unfortunately, many dairy cows spend the majority of their lives indoors, often in crowded or monotonous environments with little to no opportunity for natural behaviours. This confinement leads to frustration, boredom, and a decline in mental and emotional well-being.

When allowed to graze and roam freely, cows exhibit calm, relaxed behaviours, including soft vocalisations, upright ears, and lower signs of physiological stress. In other words, pasture isn’t a luxury, it’s a basic need that is often denied. 

6. Lameness and Mastitis are Rampant and Painful

Lameness, painful injuries or diseases affecting a cow’s legs and hooves, affects over a third of dairy cows at any given time. It not only causes severe pain but also leads to altered gait, reduced movement, and behavioural withdrawal. In severe cases, it becomes difficult or even impossible for cows to stand or lie down comfortably.

Mastitis, an inflammatory condition of the udder, is another common issue. It leads to visible swelling, fever, and pain, and significantly reduces the cow’s quality of life. Only after appropriate treatment do cows show signs of relief, such as improved mood and increased appetite.

Despite their prevalence, both conditions are often underdiagnosed or undertreated, leaving many animals in a state of prolonged suffering on dairy farms. 

7. Cows are Intelligent, Emotional Beings

Cows are far more emotionally and cognitively complex than most people realise. They are capable of forming strong friendships and can recognise familiar individuals even after long periods of separation. They communicate through subtle cues such as ear position, eye movements, and body posture.

Research has also documented emotional contagion among cows, meaning they can pick up on and mirror the feelings of those around them. When one cow is distressed, others often become distressed too.

Cows also enjoy mental stimulation. When presented with problem-solving tasks, they display behaviours that suggest curiosity, enjoyment, and even pride – what some scientists describe as “Eureka” moments. These findings challenge the outdated view of cows as passive, unfeeling animals.

8. Chronic Hunger is a Built-In Feature of Dairy Production

Modern dairy cows have been bred for extremely high milk production, often far beyond what their bodies can sustainably support. As a result, many experience what's known as a “negative energy balance,” where they are unable to eat enough calories to meet the energy demands of milk production.

This leads to visible emaciation, persistent hunger, and stress-driven behaviours like restlessness or excessive lying down. And this imbalance doesn’t end when they stop producing milk. The forced “drying off” period can also be stressful, as cows are abruptly denied food and stimulation to slow milk production.

The constant metabolic strain can contribute to a host of health problems, from reduced immunity to reproductive issues. 

Conclusion: Rethinking Dairy

Dr Helen Lambert’s report offers more than just a snapshot of the dairy industry; it provides a deeply unsettling look into the lived experiences of cows tapped on farms. These animals are not milk machines; they are sentient beings capable of suffering, joy, fear, and connection.

The science is clear: cows deserve so much more. The amount of distress, fear and heartache they experience to produce a glass of milk is horrific. Don’t forget you can read the full report here which goes into much greater detail and evidences numerous scientific reports when reaching these conclusions. 

As consumers, we have the power to make compassionate choices. The first step is understanding the reality hidden behind the dairy label, and choosing vegan.

As always, 

For the animals!

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