Life has changed dramatically for dairy cows over the past 50 years. Our thirst for cheap milk means we are putting farmers and cows under increasing pressure to produce more for less. Yet we waste up 490 million pints each year in the UK.

More and more cows are being herded into fewer, bigger farms, where they are pushed to produce higher yields of milk. It is not uncommon to find dairy farms running herds of up to 1,000 cows today, with an increasing number now confined indoors all year round.

Our free range dairy farmers typically run herds of 80-200 cows comprised of several generations of cow families. Unlike cows harnessed to intensive milk production, life for free range dairy cows changes with the seasons. They enjoy the freedom of the fields for at least six months of the year, day and night and are only housed when the grass stops growing in winter and fields become too wet and muddy to graze.

Our Network was established to ensure all animals on dairy farms enjoy a full and healthy life. For example, under our Pasture Promise standards, farmers are prohibited from shooting calves at birth, unless it is necessary to alleviate pain and suffering.

The way calves and young cattle are reared varies. Most wean calves from their mothers at 48 hours of age, but some stay together longer. Young calves soon establish strong bonds with others, whilst cows quickly adapt back to the familiar routines of milking and grazing with their herd mates.

Sometimes young calves struggle to cope with changing weather conditions and so we permit farmers to keep some animals, under the age of 12 months, indoors during the summer months. Similarly, in extreme weather conditions, we permit farmers to temporarily house cows, until things improve.