Healthy Calves are a Priority

Veal animals must receive proper care, nutrition, and housing to be healthy and grow. It’s a priority on the farm and veterinarians are integral in supporting farmers as they care for their livestock.

Keeping cattle comfortable and nourished are key to helping young animals thrive. By working with veterinarians to create a sound herd health program, farmers help keep animals healthy and provide the best opportunity to address any health concerns. 

All U.S. veal producers use group housing pens that allow cattle to stand, stretch, lie down, groom themselves and socialize with other animals. Modern veal barns have lighting overhead or receive natural sunlight through windows or curtained panels. Veal barns are also heated during cold months and have year-round ventilation to provide clean, fresh air. These facilities provide an optimum environment for veal to be comfortable and thrive.

When looking for veal in the grocery store, you may have seen labels referencing milk-fed veal and wondered about the description. Milk-fed veal calves are fed a nutritionally balanced diet of a milk-replacer, and in most cases, they also receive grain. Milk-fed is also sometimes referred to as "special-fed" or "formula-fed." Animals raised for veal never have their tails docked or horns removed, and they are never tethered. Milk-fed veal is raised for about 6 months and marketed at 500 pounds or more, a much older and larger animal than many perceive. 

Visit this photo gallery of veal barns in the United States where you can see how animals are grouped together based on their age, size and temperament.

Click on a photo to enlarge.

Herd health plan and veterinarian-client relationship are key.

Veal farmers have an ethical obligation to provide each animal with appropriate quality care through each stage of life. This is achieved by establishing on-farm programs and training that seek to maximize animal health while minimizing stress and disease. By establishing a herd health plan and working directly with a veterinarian to develop a comprehensive herd-health program, veal farmers provide quality animal care, prevent disease and determine the best option for addressing any animal health concern.