In recent years, cows have been intensively and selectively bred for their meat and milk so that farmers could make more profits. According to a research team at the University of Wisconsin, Madison found that selectively breeding cattle with lower feed and high production “would save farmers approximately $21 million per year in feed costs.” The cost efficiency of this situation has encouraged this increasingly popular “common breeding philosophy” among farmers to make their businesses more profitable. However, severe and selective breeding of cows creates a number of implications related to the health and survival of these individuals. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Breeding high-yield cows severely hampers their health and drastically reduces their quality of life and lifespan. According to recent studies, a cow in the UK will on average have around three lactations before being killed due to health problems or infertility, in contrast to the longevity potential of ten lactations. First, high-intensity cow farming can lead to life-threatening diseases such as dystocia (incomplete cervical dilation), which is abnormal birth and labor due to the narrow birth canal caused by the force of dramatic muscle growth. This can not only cause the death of the calf due to low oxygen levels, but can also put the mother's life at risk. According to the European Journal of Biological Sciences, “although dystocia cannot be eliminated from a herd; the incidence can be significantly reduced by management decisions taken before the breeding season,” meaning that selective breeding programs should pay particular attention before any action as the occurrence of dystocia can be reduced with caution. Another effect is environmental and dietary issues impacting cows as new “zero grazing” plans lead to detrimental damage to herds. To increase cow volume and support high level production, farmers will use a diet of unnatural grains or genetically modified foods as feed which can damage the digestive system of a ruminant organism and lead to increased acid in the rumen with the probability of stomach diseases.Continue in mind: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Additionally, cows should generally be kept outside on pasture and only brought inside during the colder winter season to be fed hay. However, the zero grazing program has encouraged farmers to keep cows indoors year-round, affecting the cows' normal movements and behaviors. They are housed in narrow cubicles with concrete floors that are painful to walk on, which has a greater risk of damaging their feet than soft grazing. Lack of fresh air in a compact environment can also cause excess humidity, increasing the risk of infection.