American Veal Association

Overview of Today’s Veal Industry

The epitome of the small family farm

The veal community is the epitome of the American small family farm with a rich tradition of animal care and stewardship.  There are no CAFOs in the veal industry, where the average veal farm in the U.S. has between 200 to 225 animals.  You will find veal farms, generally, in those states with a strong dairy community. More than 15 % of veal farmerss are Mennonite or Amish plain farmers.

The veal community generates annual sales of approximately $1.5 billion. Farmers purchase approximately $350 million in milk products each year and use 5.5% of all the milk solids produced in the United States.

Taking the lead in animal housing methods and animal care

On May 9, 2007 the Board of Directors of the American Veal Association (AVA) adopted a resolution calling for all U.S. veal producers to transition to group housing methods by December 31, 2017.   Veal farmers are expected to spend $250 million to transition to new group housing systems and will focus on research to help farmerss with the transition.

Veal farmers have an ethical obligation to provide for the care of the animals on their farms.  Providing safe and clean housing, proper nutrition, water and excellent care through each stage of life is the right thing to do and a priority for veal farmers.  Field trials and on-farm experience show that modern barns with group pens can provide farmers with the tools they need to give the same quality care as traditional methods to ensure the well-being of their animals.

In 1990, the Veal Quality Assurance Program (VQA) was created to certify farmerss in humane care methods, general animal husbandry practices and the regulatory requirements that govern veal production.  By adopting the methods outlined in the VQA, veal farmers have increased the health and well-being of animals under their care while producing the high quality, humanely raised and safe meat expected by veal customers.

The VQA program was one of the first of its kind of any livestock group, and considered one of the most stringent, requiring an independent, third party, on-farm audit by the attending veterinarian.  Veal farmers continue this leadership vision as they move to new animal housing methods.
 

A lean and tasty product that meets the needs of today’s customers

Because of their special diets, veal is widely regarded as among the most tender and tasty of all meat proteins.  Indeed, today’s veal fits within the dietary guidelines recommended by the American Heart Association, the American Dietetic Association, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

While both traditional and group-based production methods are acceptable for safeguarding the health and well-being of veal calves in the U.S., the conversion to group housing enables veal farmers farmersto provide a lean, tender and tasty product while giving customers a higher level of comfort when they choose veal.  Recent innovations have yielded new veal products that are healthy and easy to prepare, making veal a top choice for the discriminating consumer.