What Is Done With "Spent" Milk Cows

[Nifty]

Okay, you all know I don't know a thing about cows, so I apologize for this question:

On the way home from Yosemite we saw a TON of Holstein cows that were, I assume, for milking. Then I got to wondering...

The cow breed chart posted on this site (great job Farmer Kitty) lists "Dairy" and "Beef" breeds. I'd have to assume that there is a point where a cow stops being super productive (like chickens and eggs) that they are "culled" and I'd guess used for meat?

I guess I just never really thought about it. Anybody know the answer?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

We ship them off to the sales barn where they are sold for meat. They are usually processed for hamburger as being older they are tougher and not good for steaks and roasts.

 

[wynedot55]

as kitty said when their milking life is done in the barn.they are sent to the sale barn.an packers buy them for meat.an they are made into hamberger.

 

[beefy]

a lot of them go to live at McDonalds.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Ahhh, now beefy he has young children. They don't need to know that.

 

[kstaven]

Ahhh, now beefy he has young children. They don't need to know that.

or the other ingredients that makes up a big mac.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

a lot of them go to live at McDonalds.

There is actual beef in McDonald's burgers?!

 

[wynedot55]

they havent used fillers in hamberger since the early 70s.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

they havent used fillers in hamberger since the early 70s.

all burgers or just McD's

 

[wynedot55]

all bergers are 100% pure beef now.