Thank you for posting this video.

Indeed, they are difficult to watch, but we all need to know the truth.

I don't know about bringing another cow to being for "companionship" to the one... It seems that would just be perputating an (on again/off again) use for the milk.(?)  But if she is as friend, family and pet... but lonesome for her own kind - and given adequate freedom and lives a happy life - I'm hesitant on passing harsh judgements.  I think it's a very unique situation, but not beyond the rhelm of possibility...

And not beyond the rhelm of possibility either is my own circumstance of sharing my home with a flock of rescued factory hens.  They lay eggs as a part of their cycle... I feed many back to them... the others I give away.  I would never think of "selling" their eggs.  And heavens NO! they won't loose any "value" to me once they stop laying eggs.  They are pets, friends and family...  I love them.  There is nothing "inhumane" in the way these eggs come to be.  It's a rare exception, I agree - but possible nonetheless...

However, "animal agriculture" in the strick sense of the word  defines living beings as "commodities" bred/raised/confined/killed for "profit" - Animals in these conditions... where their bodies are seen as "production units", are always exploited.  It's always inhumane... and the animal suffering can't be justified by any stretch of the imagination. 

And I agree with the post, that if people are part of the "animal agriculture" industry on the consumer end, and refuse to be made aware, or take responsibility for their decisions, they are guilty of unforgivable cowardice.

Dear Paul Howard,
Indeed you are not lumped in with the agrigultural farms. You stand out like a shining jewel.  You shoud not dump Yourself into agricultural farming, but rather call yourself a little bit of a haven for animals. 

I do not agree that you should demand anything from your animals, nor should you require that they produce milk and if a companion for the Mother is your true intention and the milk a mere side product that you can use for your benefit you are not being a "leech" upon the animal kingdom.

You are providing a safe home and place for these weary and abused animals to (hopefully) rest.

Just as my pets provide nothing but nourishment for me (that is nourishment for my heart and soul), so do all animals.  I request nothing from my 5 rescued cats except that they do not hurt any other beings (birds included) although this can be tricky at times.  Their gift is that they provide me with more unconditional love than any human is remotely capable of.

So, if I had the space, would a cow, a sheep, a pig, a hen or any other animal.

I feed the wild deer that come into my yard.  They are hungry because so much of their wild life has been taken away.  Occasionally I am gifted with a little bit of a treat one from lovely deer who lets me pet her sweet nose while she eats from my hand.  You can't even imagine the feelings of wonder I recieve from this noble trust she gives me, a human, a human who tries to decimate her land, her soul and her body all over the world.  My joy comes from knowing they all know they have a safe haven in my yard.  No dog will chase them, no hunter will hunt them, no bull dozer will scare them away.  They are welcome and they come back one by one, bringing their young in pure and innocent trust.

The mutual benefit?  Pure love.  They receive it.  They have been tormented enough, I need nothing back, but their trust is more than I could ask for.

You are indeed providing a service, a sanctuary at your little haven.  Expect nothing and you will receive so much more.

You do not belong to the very cruel class of agricultural farming, which is inhumane at all levels.  But you should aspire to everything you can be!  Divine intervention is needed everywhere.  Be the blessing that you are and do not unite with the language of the devil; agricultural farming.

I wholeheartedly agree with Bea & Ariel.  What is the difference between the companionship of a dog, cow, horse, cat or bird to those who truly view them as companions?  This is the heart of the issue - especially when we're talking about horse slaughter, the fur industry, animal "research", etc..  Just because an animal can't sleep on your bed at night doesn't make it any less of a companion. 

Paul, take everyone's advice & don't lump yourself into the "animal agriculture" label.  You sound like you have a good thing going there.  Find yourself a better category.

 The point of our project isn’t to have “companion animals,” although they are that also, but to establish a farm where the humane treatment of animals is not compromised.  Animal sanctuaries are nice, of course, but farming is about earning a living off the land, and it’s my belief that animals can contribute in ways that do not harm or abuse them.  If a living animal is seen as a useless animal, then there is no way that animal killing will become obsolete.  To be useful is to ensure one’s own survival.   That’s part of the reason in favor of breeding our cow.  While that makes two cows needing protection, it also increases the cow’s contribution.  We’re not rich people.  My wife homeschools our kids (we have five of them from age 12 to under a year), and I earn a modest income as a state employee in environmental protection.  In order to ensure that a cow is protected for life, money has to be put aside for its maintenance.  Milk can provide that.   One of the main obstacles to our plan is the idea that animal agriculture cannot be humane.  How much could it help sheep protection if we could sell handspun yarn from protected sheep to the vegan market?  How much would a hand-knitted sweater made from handspun yarn from protected sheep be worth to people who would not otherwise wear wool?  We have no idea, partially because no one is looking for ahimsa wool because supposedly it doesn’t exist.  Well actually it does, and we have several bags full of it.  The idea that there is no humane animal agriculture actually prevents humane agriculture because the people who think it can’t exist are the very same people who are most needed to support it. >“Then when she has a calf, the calf will be fed from his/her mother if your intentions are pure, so you wouldn't take the milk since it's for the baby.” A cow can give about ten times as much milk as its calf needs, since it can produce plenty of milk for the calf and the human family in one day, and can give milk for many years after the calf has become an adult.  I have a friend whose cow gave milk for about 9 years after the birth of one calf.  There is no difficulty in having the calf properly fed and still getting extra milk.  The amount gradually drops to well below the several gallons per day demanded on conventional dairy farms, but even one or two gallons per day is plenty for a family to have milk for drinking, making butter, ghee, yogurt, cheese, etc., and even some excess to sell. When milking is done by hand, it increases the bond between the cow and the person.  If people can understand that cows have feelings, then they should be able to accept that cows appreciate loving relationships.  Cows that are milked in this kind of environment also enjoy a richer diet that would be too much for a cow not giving milk.  They get extra special treatment, and the love they feel makes more milk come down. >” Do your animals have names? Do you see them as part of the family or just commodities? (I am assuming the former but just asking questions). Do they have enough room to roam freely? Did you buy them from some person who unnaturally force breeds animals or did you rescue them?” Yes, the cow is Krishna Priya, the sheep are Mata, Nalakuvera, and Bindu; and the goats are Bharata, Pan, and Muchukunda.  Definitely family.  They have plenty of room, more pasture than they need, and a good sized area in the barn, which is always open to the pasture.  There is a barrier that the smaller animals can get under to give them an place where the cow can’t go.  Most of the animals were rescue, but one sheep and two goats were from another compassionate shepherds.  Sheep and goats need some of their own kind for companionship (very important), so we bought a few from a friend.  A lot of people who raise angora goats treat them more affectionately than most people do with their dogs and cats.   >” However, "animal agriculture" in the strict sense of the word  defines living beings as "commodities" bred/raised/confined/killed for "profit"” I would say that’s the conventional model, but not necessarily the definition.  Since animals are important to our food production – fruit, vegetables, and grains --  I think what we’re doing definitely counts as animal agriculture and invalidates the claim that animal agriculture cannot be humane.   There is also a more esoteric aspect to our hope for milk production.  We’re aspiring devotees of Krishna, what you’d think of as “Hare Krishna” people.  Based on Bhagavad-gita and many other scriptures (http://vedabase.net), we worship Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and we offer Him foods as He desires.  The kinds of foods He enjoys are described in scripture as being lacto-vegetarian.  There are also religious principles called yukta-vairagya (renunciation through employing Krishna’s energy in His service) and ajnata sukriti (auspicious activities performed without one’s knowledge), and both of these come into play.  What this means is that when we offer milk to Krishna, the cow makes spiritual advancement.  The Vedas indicate that the cow is one step below humans in the transmigration of the soul, and when a cow is engaged in Krishna’s service, it not only means protection for its life as a cow, but also an auspicious birth in its next body as a human being in a wealthy or pious family.  In addition, milk is described in the ancient medical and nutritional science of ayurveda as a very important food for nourishing the finer tissues of the brain necessary for understanding the difference between matter and spirit.  Of course I don’t expect most people to be able to relate to these aspects of our philosophy, but I’m mentioning them anyway because it’s an important part of our view. I would encourage everyone to have a look at the standards established by the International Society for Cow Protection, which we use to guide our program:http://www.iscowp.org/Cow Protection Standards/Cow Protection Standards.htm “Without protection of cows, brahminical culture cannot be maintained; and without brahminical culture, the aim of life cannot be fulfilled.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.24.5 (http://vedabase.net/sb/8/24/5/en)    

Ugh, that had paragraphs when I wrote it.  A preview window is needed!!!

While I disagree with you on the milking part, Paul, I wouldn't be bothered enough to protest your farm or anything. I have always been torn on the animals pulling their weight while living with humans thing.

My main issue is choice. Is is the cow's choice to live with you? To mate with the bull you choose? To have a baby? To give you her milk? No. So she would not be free. It would also perpetuate the cycle of domestication of nonhuman animals which I believe is what all animal cruelty has stemmed from.Total animal liberation is my goal.

However, I do understand your perspective and it seems that you are kind to your animals and living a life of low impact on the world around you. So, where I disagree with you, I am likely doing something that you are doing a more ethical job at.

Thank you very much for sharing and answering your questions. I think your animals will be as happy as they can be on a farm.

Dear Paul,

You have brought up some very good points.  I am incredibly spiritual in a very broad spectrum and I relate to your views on the Indian philosophies of Bhagavad-gita.

I grew up being So inspired by the concept of the cow being considered Divine.  I thought that was so amazing....until recently i have discovered what that ACTUALLY means in India and how cows are still killed and turned into leather and abused.

But, beyond that, I think you bring up very valid points.
If the agricultural industry had not gone to points of being so incredibly inhumane there would not be the backlash that exists.
Had farms continued to exist in reverence for their animals instead of turning them into commodities, most animal lovers would not have become so "black and white" about it all, at least, that is what I believe.

I don't think you should identify with agricultural farming.  It has become like one giant cesspool of hatred and agony.  if you could coin a new name for what you do, perhaps people could identify.

Don't try and claim that agricultural industry can be humane.  It has gone too farm and and created too much torture.  Find something new.  Find a new way to describe what you do that others can aspire to.

When animals are treated with affection and love and are gaining a lifestyle that is supportive, this is a style unto itself. 

We do understand the relationships that are formed with animals.  For some very strange reason, they continue to love us humans, despite the incredible abuse we force them to suffer.   They love us.  End of story.  They are angels on earth.  Treat them as such.  There is nothing wrong with having a beautiful and enriching relationship with these beautiful creatures.  Just don't call it agriculture.  Call it spiritual recycling :) 

I think the incredible force that animals carry, this state of unconditional love that humans used to posses but lost eons ago is what is being smashed and tortured to death. All you have to do is look at any animal photo of a mother and child or experience the relationship between two same species of animals and you can see the right action, the longing and prompting to do nothing other than just experience sweet, uninhibited, innocent love from each other.  This pureness is the soul, the spirit that exists and is manifesting through these forms.
   Animals are closer to this force than any other being on this planet, although humans trick themselves into  thinking they are the masters of the universe through religion and ego, and now that we are reaching the end of a very cruel anti-spiritual era I see the day when animals will communicate with those who are open and able. Humans who's consciousness will be expanded enough to reach up to the level where animals reside will relay the stories of the incredible pain and suffering we've inflicted upon them like the era of slavery but much worse. There will be a time of inner cleansing and spiritual learning.  The animals will be some of our teachers, actions based on profits, greed and ignorance will be banished from this dimension, religion will a thing of the past.   
     Bridges of love will be built amongst all beings – humans and non-humans who reside on Earth.
All beings have a deep and natural love for one another at a Soul Level and this love will finally surface into a conscious awareness. This will help beings learn how to transcend the surface level differences of species, race, nationality, gender, social status, cultural traditions, religious affiliations,  and rekindle a love connection that will enable us to work together to build a love-base world founded on simple and pure spirituality.
    These Soul encounters are what will connect us to the essence of life itself, to the reality that transcends the ignorance – to the truth about life that is rarely spoken. It will connect us to ourselves – to our own Soul – and to the Soul of all of our loved ones – both the ones that we identify as our loved ones now and the loved ones we have yet to recognize in the beings of all species that abound in the world around us. We will finally see the beauty and abundant gifts the animals have brought to us and they will be happy.........