Today’s Veal Farms: A Smaller Footprint, A Bigger Commitment

While veal might not be as common on the dinner table as other meats – a new study sheds light on strides veal farmers are making when it comes to sustainability.

As reported in Lancaster Farming, a 2025 study shows that veal has a smaller environmental footprint than beef and is on par with pork and chicken in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. This first-of-its-kind life cycle assessment (LCA) from the American Veal Association marks a major milestone in transparency – giving consumers real data about how veal is produced today.

With continued improvements in animal care and sustainability practices, veal farmers are focused on doing what’s right for animals, people and the planet.

We encourage you to learn more in the full article about the LCA and what it means for the future of veal.    

First-Ever LCA Findings Released for U.S. Veal

The American Veal Association (AVA) has completed its first-ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the U.S. milk-fed veal industry. This LCA was developed with the goal of estimating the efficiency of converting resources like energy, fuel and feed into veal. The study found farms had an environmental impact of 2.88 kg of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per kg of veal when studied from cradle-to-gate.

“We’re very pleased with the results demonstrated in the LCA. While the methodology of other studies can vary, our report provides indication that veal is in line with other meats like pork and chicken,” said Sonia Arnold, Ph.D., AVA president. “Our membership is committed to producing safe, healthy, nutritious protein in a responsible and sustainable manner.  The findings in this report confirm that we are on the right path to achieving this goal.”

As part of the study, Eocene Environmental Group (formerly Sustainable Environmental Consultants) conducted boots-on-the-ground data collection on farms in Pennsylvania, Indiana and New York. Operations studied varied in size, location, technology, manure practices and operational practices. Typical U.S. veal farms are family farms raising on average about 200 calves per production cycle with an average of 2.5 production cycles per year. In some areas of the country, it is very common to see Amish and Mennonite farm families raising veal. Milk-fed veal farms are primarily located in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Data collection took place in 2023 and 2024 and focused on cradle-to-gate emissions. This means information gathered for the study was collected from the time the animal was born to the time it left the farm for harvesting and processing.

Important study findings include:

• The largest source of cradle-to-gate GHG emissions was from purchased feed (29%).

• Emissions from fuels represented the second greatest source of GHG emissions (21%). Inputs included combustibles (wood and coal), gasoline, diesel, natural gas and propane.

• Manure management was the third highest contributor of GHG emissions (15%).

• Soil-based nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and emissions related to the production of agricultural inputs collectively contributed 12% to the GHG footprint.

• Shipping was the fifth largest contributor of emissions (8%). Shipping included shipping feed to the farm as well as calves being transported to market.

• Tied with shipping, enteric fermentation contributed 8%. Enteric fermentation emissions are the result of natural digestive processes that occur within digestive systems of ruminant animals. However, as veal calves develop their rumen and rumination activities over time, methane production is less than that of an adult bovine.

• It should be noted that the study also found soils were sequestering more carbon than what were being emitted. This in turn helped bring down the overall environmental impact by 17%.

Results of the study have been shared with the AVA membership to help them explore areas of improvement for the future.

“The insight of this first-ever LCA serves as a crucial baseline for driving future improvements,” Arnold continued. “This quantifiable baseline provides our members something to build upon in their commitment to continuous improvement.”

Animal wellbeing is one of those areas where the industry has made significant improvements over the past 25 years. Healthy calves raised in group housing are a priority on our U.S. farms. AVA member companies and veal farmers fully embrace and implement the expectations of the Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program. Technically reviewed and updated in 2024, VQA provides science-based standards for raising healthy calves based on the Five Domains of Animal Welfare. VQA certification is validated by licensed veterinarians, managed by the Meat Institute, and funded by the Beef Checkoff.

Completing the LCA signals completion of a goal outlined in the AVA’s Ethical Commitments. Updated in 2023, the Ethical Commitments have a section focused on the Environment with a target to complete an LCA by 2025.

The American Veal Association is a member-driven organization that represents businesses and individuals engaged in the milk-fed veal industry. Our policies are driven by the values and beliefs of our members which are best summarized in AVA’s Ethical Commitments.

Businesses or individuals engaged in the milk-fed veal industry are invited to get involved through membership in the AVA.

Veal Industry Sets New Ethical Standards to Strengthen Consumer Trust

The American Veal Association (AVA) has adopted a new set of ethical commitments aimed at strengthening consumer trust and showcasing the industry’s dedication to responsible practices.

These commitments focus on key areas like animal welfare, food safety, environmental stewardship and labor and human rights. Designed to be both proactive and transparent, the commitments reflect the veal industry’s desire to earn consumer confidence and trust by clearly communicating the values and standards guiding veal production today.

AVA President Sonia Arnold shared with Lancaster Farming that the commitments bring more awareness to the good work already happening on veal farms across the country. The AVA represents roughly 400 farmers and companies involved in raising milk-fed veal, mostly in states with strong dairy industries like Pennsylvania, New York and Wisconsin.

“We have a good story to tell,” Arnold said. “Now we’re making sure people hear it.”

Learn more about today’s veal industry and its ethical commitments here.

Why the U.S. Veal Industry is Poised for Resurgence

The U.S. veal industry, once in decline, is making a strong comeback thanks to major improvements in animal welfare, sustainability and transparency.

Practices of the past have been replaced by group housing, tailored nutrition and strong veterinary oversight. Dairy bull calves, which previously had little value, are now being transformed into high-quality food, as well as other products.

Dairy Herd Management takes a look at the evolving veal industry and how it’s promoting its positive story to the food industry and a new generation of consumers. Learn how veal is “poised to come back stronger and smarter than ever before.”