Roughly 310,000 calves are slaughtered as bobby calves each year in Australia.

On a dairy farm, more calves are generally born than are required for the milking herd or can be reared for meat production. 

Roughly 310,000 calves are slaughtered as bobby calves each year in Australia. These are calves aged 5 to 30 days old.  This is roughly 31% of the roughly 1 million calves born on Australian dairy farms each year.  

42% of calves born are raised to become milking cows and a further 16% raised to become beef cattle. Unfortunately, the remaining animals (roughly 10%) either die or are euthanised due to illness or lack of viable pathway. 

The Australian dairy industry is committed to develop more sustainable pathways for calves. Dairy Australia has partnered with Meat and Livestock Australia to invest in market initiatives through the CalfWays Roadmap. 

Learn more at dairyaustralia.com.au/animals/calf-rearing/calfways-roadmap