The primary output from dairy farms is milk, some of which is made into cheese, butter and other processed products. But dairy farms also produce calves – dairy cows must have a calf each year to enable them to produce milk. Female calves are generally retained for the replacement of older cows. Some, along with male calves, may be reared for beef. After milk production, older cows may also be used for beef. The dairy assurance scheme that farmers must follow for their products to carry the Red Tractor label covers both milk production and beef production from calves and older cattle. This is achieved with a comprehensive set of standards to ensure that milk is produced and stored in a safe and hygienic manner, that the cattle’s welfare needs are not compromised, that animals can be traced back to their farms and that the environment is not adversely affected by dairy farming.
Click here for summary and full standardsADF Newsletter.pdf