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In a heartbreaking new undercover video, Animal Outlook reveals violent abuse of gentle mother cows at Mason Dixon Farms, a massive dairy facility in Pennsylvania with more than 2,500 animals.
Mason Dixon supplies some of the biggest names in dairy, including Dairy Farmers of America and Land O’Lakes.
One of the largest dairy facilities on the East Coast, Mason Dixon was the first in the U.S. to implement milking of cows by machines, known as “robo-milking.” Approximately half of the 2,500 cows on this factory farm are now “robo-milked.”
Though Mason Dixon touts itself as a leading example in the dairy industry, the footage obtained by Animal Outlook’s investigator who worked inside the facility uncovers a different reality that includes:
- Egregious cruelty to animals: including workers kicking cows in the face, punching them in their sensitive udders, excessively shocking them with an electric prod, jabbing them with pens or elbows, and twisting or bending their tails
- Cows living in hazardous conditions: routinely getting stuck on water troughs or inside stalls
- Worker safety concerns: workers handling formaldehyde throughout the facility with no protective clothing or masks
Animal Outlook submitted evidence of animal cruelty to local authorities, calling for prompt enforcement action. According to Dairy Farmers of America, which Mason Dixon supplies, Mason Dixon has fired one employee in response to the acts of animal cruelty documented in this footage.
Like human mothers, cows form incredibly strong bonds with their babies, but in the dairy industry, these bonds are shattered. As a mom, I shudder when I think of the calves systematically torn from their mothers time and again so the milk intended for these baby animals can be sold for human consumption.
Mason Dixon Dairy Investigation Photos
Thirst for Profit Creates a Cruel Cycle
Dairy cows are genetically manipulated to produce huge quantities of milk, and bovine growth hormones unnaturally boost milk production even more, adding to their pain and discomfort.
Cows at Mason Dixon produce up to 25 gallons of milk a day — that’s more than twice the amount of milk on other dairy factory farms. Hooked up to milking machines several times a day, these cows often suffer painful inflammation of their udders, known as mastitis.
To keep producing milk, dairy cows are continually artificially inseminated in an invasive manual procedure. Just like human mothers, cows carry their babies for nine months.
You can help end this cycle of cruelty: Click here for ways you can take action today.
Millions of Americans are choosing healthier and compassionate plant-based milks and other dairy-free foods.
The best way we can protect cows, and all animals, is simply to leave meat, dairy and eggs out of our shopping carts. Visit TryVeg.com to get started.
May 12, 2017 update: Since the release of our investigation, Leprino Foods and Chobani have stated that Mason Dixon is not in their supply chain, though it’s our understanding that both companies do purchase from DFA and this factory farm is a member of DFA. We have reached out to confirm how this supply chain is verified and are awaiting responses. In the meantime, we’ve updated our video and website to reflect this new information, and we will continue to update as additional detail is received.
Press
- WITF: Midstate man pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges
- Philly Voice: Undercover video at Pennsylvania dairy farm leads to employee's firing
- VegNews: Rampant Animal Abuse Exposed at Land O' Lakes
- All Creatures: Carton of Cruelty
- World Animal News: Compassion Over Killing Exposes Horrific Abuse at Dairy Farm
Act Now
Speak Up for Mother Cows
The heartbreaking cruelty documented at Mason Dixon Farms depicts the devastating reality of life for dairy cows.
Did you know cows form lifelong bonds with their calves? Yet, in the dairy industry, these gentle animals are artificially inseminated, impregnated year after year, only to have their calves taken from them almost immediately so that their milk can be sold for human consumption.
Thankfully, there are simple and effective ways that YOU — and each one of us — can make a difference for cows and all farmed animals.