Matters of the holy cow

Desertification is a process of land-degradation by which a region becomes progressively drier and drier — eventually becoming desert. Desertification is the process by which productive land is transformed into wasteland.

Livestock grown for meat impact the environment more than any food we eat, mainly because they require more land, food, water, and energy than plants to raise and transport. Producing a four-ounce hamburger, for example, requires 7 pounds of grain and forage. Animal bred for meat are grazed in forests destroying all the young trees and ultimately destroying the forest which in turn causesthe rain to lessen. Methane emitted by meat animals like cattle, pigs and goats creates far more heat in the atmosphere causing vegetation to dry up.

It takes water to grow crops for animals to eat and give animals water to drink. A single cow used for milk can drink up to 190 liters of water per day – or twice that amount in hot weather – and it takes 2585 liters of water to produce just 3 liters of milk. When that water is taken out of the ground , it causes the land to dry up.

Two types of pneumonia – viral and bacterial – affect bovines. The two pathogens often work in concert, with the virus striking first and the bacterial illness following. An animal stricken with pneumonia may die soon after exhibiting severe signs and symptoms, or recover but suffer from permanent lung damage. Such cattle can serve as a source of infection to others in the herd. Calves between the age of 1- 5 months are most susceptible to pneumonia. Any bovine is susceptible to pneumonia, but calves are particularly vulnerable. Pneumonia is an emergency. Call the vet at the first sign of any respiratory illness, as early treatment offers the best prognosis. Prevention is even better – vaccinate your cows annually against some of the major causes of pneumonia.

The difference between A1 Milk and A2 Milk is that one is formed with A1 protein and the other A2 protein. These A1 and A2 protein are different types of Beta-Casein proteins which form a large chunk of proteins present in Milk.

Hybrid and foreign cows in India have A1 milk. A1 milk contains beta-casein which is harmful for human beings and leads to diseases like diabetes, cancer and a weakening of the immune system. When we drink the milk of an A1 cow, the body breaks it down to produce high levels of amorphine-related compound called beta casomorphin-7 (BCM7) which creates inflammatory reactions in the small intestines, changes hormonal functions and aqffects the nervous and immune system. India has A2 cows which are mainly the native desi breeds. India has 37 pure cattle breeds.

They are Shahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Tharpakar, Rathi, Kankrej, Ongole and Hariana to name a few. Their milk used to be of the A2 variety. However, breeds were developed after the Government programme, White Flood, was launched during 1970.

India went on to hybridise its native desi cows with the European species of Jerseys and Holstein Friesian which delivered A1 milk.