The sentencing of several farm workers around New Zealand is really beginning to show that animal welfare is being taken seriously by the courts, in a fair and balanced approach.
Federated farmers, DairyNZ and the New Zealand Veterinary Association, all share the same stance on animal cruelty, breaking the tails on cattle is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in the New Zealand dairy industry.
Stratford veterinarian Craig Hassell says, "I have no idea why someone working on a dairy farm would believe that breaking tails makes cows easier to work with, it defies logic and stockmanship."
Craig adds that not only does it cause the animal pain resulting in it no longer performing at it's peak, the cattle will become leery of farm staff making them much harder to work with.
"If you are hot-headed and prone to lashing out I would suggest the dairy industry is not the career for you."