Letter to the editor: Dairy farmers protect health of their cows

As a member of a fourth-generation dairy farm, I was frustrated to read allegations from a vegan organization in the letter “Plant-based dairy a viable option” (June 13, TribLIVE). Here’s the real story of what happens on a dairy farm, where my most important priority is the health and well-being of my animals.

Calves are the future of our herd, so it’s crucial to get them off to a healthy start. That includes protecting their fragile immune systems by placing them in clean, dry individual pens, which lessens the chance of illness and protects them from the weather. Bottle-feeding calves allows farmers to monitor their intake and ensure they receive adequate nutrition.

To produce milk, cows must be healthy and comfortable. Our barns provide shade and protection from wind, cold, rain and snow — a necessity in the Northeast. Inside, my cows have clean, dry bedding which is replenished twice daily and have access to food and water 24 hours a day.

I’m proud of the work my fellow farmers and I do every day to ensure our communities have access to affordable, safe and nutritious milk and other dairy products. Learn more about dairy farms at americandairy.com.

Marie Canon

West Middlesex