Day 113 - 03 Apr 95 - Page 15

     
     1        look at a cow, when she has a very big udder she cannot
     2        walk because the udder is dropped.  It is pendulous.  Every
     3        time she moves her back legs she, in fact, kicks the
     4        udder.  Also, she cannot have her legs properly vertical;
     5        she has to walk on the sides.
     6
     7   Q.   Is this problem one that is prevalent?
     8        A.  Lameness, I am coming to.
     9
    10   Q.   Pardon?
    11        A.  It is lameness, I am coming to.  This is a cause of
    12        lameness which is as common as mastitis.
    13
    14   Q.   It is as common?
    15        A.  Yes, and it is a major problem.
    16
    17   Q.   Is it very painful?
    18        A.  Yes, very painful, but I have to point out with cows
    19        that we are dealing here with a survival mechanism.  We are
    20        talking about giving birth and producing milk.  Many other
         systems will be suffering before a cow, or any other animal
    22        for that matter, abandons those, because that is a survival
    23        mechanism which will go even if she is emaciated and in
    24        poor condition.  One of the welfare matters -----
    25
    26   Q.   In other words, are you saying that her body gives priority
    27        to the milking and calving?
    28        A.  Yes, yes.
    29
    30   Q.   Because it is survival?
    31        A.  And her body gives way in certain matters.  The
    32        farmers' term for it is, in effect, milking off the cow's
    33        back.  In other words, she loses fatty stores, she becomes
    34        emaciated, she becomes very boney.
    35
    36   Q.   Is that something that is prevalent?
    37        A.  Yes.
    38
    39   Q.   Throughout the dairy herds?
    40        A.  You see cows very often going to market, and this is
         one reason why they are culled, because they lose value for
    42        the farmer as production machines.  In the average British
    43        herd of this type, a cow would not reach her fourth
    44        lactation.
    45
    46   Q.   So what age will she be?
    47        A.  So, if could I recapitulate.  She comes ------
    48
    49   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  When you say "of this type", what do you
    50        mean? 
    51        A.  I am talking now about the dairy beef type which 
    52        I think you are most interested in, but I will 
    53        differentiate it from what is called suckler herd beef
    54        production which is primarily with breeds like Aberdeen
    55        Angus on the hills.  That is extensive rather than
    56        intensive production.  That is intended for beef, not for
    57        milk for human consumption.
    58
    59   MR. MORRIS:  When you say "for beef", what are the general herds
    60        that are more likely to go to burger production?