As the percentage of Canada’s population that live on farms dwindles, fewer people have any contact with those who produce our food.  This has led to many inaccurate ideas about what happens on modern livestock farms.  Veal farming is the area of livestock production which is perhaps most greatly misunderstood.  Much of the misinformation about veal farming does not pertain to current Canadian practices. 

There are approximately 500 – 700 veal farms in Ontario and they bring a value of $450 million to the economy.

What is veal?

Dairy cows give birth to a calf each year in order to give us milk and other dairy products. Approximately 50% of all calves born are male (bull) calves, and only a small percentage of these males are kept for breeding purposes.  The remainder of these dairy bull calves are used in the production of veal.  Before there was a veal industry, most bull calves were euthanized at birth.  Veal farming has made it possible to turn by-products of the dairy industry into a positive contribution to our food chain.

Dairy calves are normally separated (weaned) from the cow shortly after birth for a variety of reasons.  Today’s cow produces about six times more milk than the calf needs, and if the calf remained with the cow, it could develop health problems from the over consumption of milk.   The calves continue to receive colostrum (immunity-building milk) through pail or bottle feeding.

Veal farmers purchase calves (most commonly at auction markets) when they are 7-10 days old.

Grain-Fed Veal

In 1999, approximately 70% of Canadian veal calves were “grain-fed” veal.  The calves are fed a milk-based diet for 6-8 weeks, and then weaned to a grain-based diet.  Prior to weaning, calves are commonly housed in individual stalls or hutches.  Upon weaning, calves are often moved to group pens or “loose” housing.  Grain-fed veal calves are raised to 273-319 kilograms.  Grain feed is largely a corn-based diet and contains supplemental protein, vitamins and minerals and is their exclusive diet after weaning.  Feed is available on a free choice basis all day and is provided only after calves are gradually weaned off their milk replacer.  A 272-kilogram grain-fed calf will consume 7 kilograms of feed per day.

Milk-Fed Veal

The other 30% of Canadian veal calves are milk-fed veal.  These calves receive a milk-based diet made from surplus ingredients of the dairy cow industry.  “Milk Replacers” are of equal or greater nutritional value compared to milk from the dairy cow.  The milk based diet produces a light pink coloured meat.  Milk-fed veal calves are raised to approximately 182-205kg (400-450 pounds).

Approximately 65% of milk-fed calves are kept in individual stalls in Canada.  The individual stall system was designed to meet the calf’s physical and comfort needs and minimize stress.  Stall sizes and structures are outlined in the Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and

Handling of Veal Calves, developed by researcher in conjunction with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and farmers.  Canadian stalls are among the largest in the world, allowing the calves to lie down, stand up, and groom themselves.  Calves can turn around in the stalls for the majority of their lifespan as Canadian stalls do not require tethering (tying).  Housing calves in stalls allows the farmer to provide individual care and feed for each calf.  Calves this age, like any young animal, normally spend 75-80% of their time lying down or resting.

Group pens or “loose housing” is an alternative housing method used for the remaining 35% of the milk-fed calves.  Loose housing is set up so calves can exercise and feed at will.  Research shows that calves in groups are subject to greater stress from “bullying” and that animals’ health problems are more difficult to prevent and manage.  It is also unclear how important the additional space provided by the group pens is to the calves, which tend to take only limited advantage of this freedom of movement. Computerized feeding systems and different housing designs are being tried to help enhance these housing systems.

Veal Feeds

Veal calves are fed balanced diets, with added iron, vitamins and minerals.  Calves receive enough iron to meet their growth requirements and keep them healthy.  Depending on age, calves will consume 5 and 30 litres of water per day.

Milk replacer manufacturers utilize surplus skim milk powder and whey – both byproducts of the dairy industry – in the production of veal feeds.  Veal feeds do not normally contain antibiotics or any other medication.  If medication is required, it is prescribed by a veterinarian and administered on an individual basis by the veal farmer.

The Veal Barn

Milk-fed veal barns protect the calves from the Canadian environment, predators and parasites.  The barns are well lit, using either natural or artificial lighting.  Light levels have no effect on the colour or tenderness of the meat.  Temperature in the barns is controlled by heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.  These well-ventilated barns provide clean, fresh air on a continuous basis.  The barn floor is often slatted allowing urine and solid manure to drop between the slats, and permitting daily removal.  The calf is left with a dry and comfortable place to lie.  Grain-fed veal is raised much like beef, often in open barns.  Housing methods have no effect on the tenderness or colour of veal.  Meat quality and colour are a result of diet, and the market age of the calf.

In Ontario, members of the Ontario Veal Association would be happy to show you their farms, and answer any further questions.  Most people who visit a veal farm are pleasantly surprised by the conditions these calves are kept in.

For More Information (or to arrange a visit to a veal farm) contact:

Ontario Veal Association
130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON, N1K 1B1
Online: www.ontarioveal.on.ca

Available from the Ontario Veal Association:
Everything You Wanted to Know About Veal Production in Ontario
You Were Asking about Veal Farming (also available from OFAC Veal)