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The Dairy Industry

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The dairy industry is one of the largest agricultural industries in America. There are dairy farms in all 50 states and Puerto Rico (Thiesse 1). There are many misconceptions about the dairy industry. The organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) fights for the wellness of animals. However, some of the claims that PETA makes are hurting the agricultural industries. While there are farms that mistreat their animals, not all farms are like what PETA describes. This could cause serious problems if everyone listened to their claims instead of educating themselves about what the dairy industry is really like. With about 49,000 dairy farms and 500 processing plants in the United States, the dairy industry as a whole employs over 900,000 people (Thiesse 1). As PETA uses claims against the industry as a whole, they could hurt thousands of families. Along with the other alternative choices for milk, such as almond or soy milk, the dairy industry is being hurt. Although some may claim that milk is high in fat, they should also consider the other nutritional values of milk. It is important for people to be informed about the dairy industry and what really happens on a farm. At most farms, calves are taken away from their mother within hours after birth. This is a difficult experience for both the calf and the cow, yet it is necessary for the health of the calf. When calves are first born, their immune systems are not fully developed and they need nutrients and

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