Veal 101

A: Strauss group raised veal is derived from dairy breeds, typically Holstein bull (male) calves. Our group raised veal calves are never tethered or crated. They are raised on a special liquid whey‐formula until six to eight weeks of age, and are then moved to group pens and fed a diet of formula, grain, and forage. Group raised veal, is tender and delicate but pinker due to the increased nutrition of grain and forage finishing.

A: The term “special-fed” veal (formula-fed veal) is a USDA classification that describes modern-day veal calves derived from the dairy industry and fed a special formula or milk replacer. This formula is typically made from whey and whey protein, both of which are by-products of cheese making. It's nutritionally designed to produce creamy white to pale pink meat.

Special-fed veal was developed in Holland and brought to the U.S. shortly after WWII. At that time, the dairy industry in Holland faced the same challenges that existed here in the U.S. – what to do with Holstein bull (male) calves from the dairy industry. Dairy cows must calve every year to maintain milk production. Heifer (female) calves are raised to reenter the herd as milking cows. Bull calves provide little to no value to dairy farmers, making them a true by-product of the dairy industry. The Holland-based special-fed veal industry evolved by utilizing the two primary byproducts of the dairy industry – bull calves and whey. Since the U.S. dairy herd is predominantly Holstein based, the black and white Holstein bull calf soon became synonymous with special-fed veal.

Typically, American special-fed veal calves are tethered and crated with a restricted diet of only formula. In contrast, Strauss formula fed (special-fed) veal are tether-free, group raised and supplemented with grain and nutrient-rich forage that produces healthier calves and pinker colored veal.

A: After World War II, when industrial principles were applied to farming and agriculture, "modern" methods dictated tethering calves in small, individual pens, or crates, and feeding them a "special" milk-formula diet. The system was thought to prevent the spread of illness and to efficiently and economically care for calves that were brought together from many dairy farms, making them highly susceptible to disease and stress.

Today we know better, and we understand that raising animals in this inhumane way caused unnecessary stress as well as unnatural behaviors. English veal producers were the first to take notice, making it illegal to raise calves in crates after 1989. By 2008, tethered and crate raised veal was banned throughout the European Union.

Here in the U.S., the American Veal Association has voluntarily chosen to produce all special-fed veal calves in group-raised environments by 2017. But we believe that our calves and our consumers deserve better, today. That's why in December 2008 Strauss became the first veal producer in the nation to raise 100% of our special-fed (formula-fed) veal calves in a tether-free, group raised environment, a full nine years ahead of the industry deadline.

We also produce Free Raised® Veal, which is authentic, historical veal, derived from the French Limousin heritage beef breed. Free Raised® veal calves are free to roam alongside mother and herd on open pastures, never confined or tethered. They receive a nature-intended diet of unlimited access to mother's milk and pasture grasses, providing ample nutrients and iron, creating authentic veal, richer in flavor and color. Free Raised® Veal calves never experience the stress of feedlots or industrial farming. The result is extremely tender, delicious veal.

A: No. This is a misconception and a myth. In fact, freedom of movement promotes good health and reduces stress, which helps to ensure tenderness. Unfortunately that fallacy has become so widely accepted that even chefs and people within the veal industry believe it.

A: Years ago, the popular myth was the whiter the veal, the more mild and tender it was. The color of veal is determined by the amount of iron the calf receives from its diet. With the introduction of formula-feeding, farmers had the ability to limit the calves iron intake resulting in lighter meat and created a new demand for white veal.

In addition to iron-deficient diets, veal farmers filtered iron from their calves’ water, prevented contact with any metal, and eliminated their natural forage diet, rich in iron and nutrients. It's important to note that as iron levels decrease and the color of veal lightens, the calves become anemic, which causes their natural immune system to weaken. Calves that become sick more easily require increased medication and antibiotic use. For this reason, veal color has long been a point of concern and controversy. In fact, some EU retailers have already banned “white” veal from their shelves due to animal welfare concerns.

Strauss raises 100% of our formula-fed veal calves in a tether-free, grain-finished, group raised environment, providing a more nutrient-rich diet that produces healthier calves and pinker colored veal.

Our Free Raised® Veal revives the traditional art of pasture-raising; free to roam on open pastures alongside herd, unlimited access to mother's milk and natural forage, eliminating the need for antibiotics. Free Raised® is authentic veal, richer and deeper in color.

As a veal consumer, you can help to improve the raising conditions of all veal calves by asking your butcher for pink or naturally colored veal.

A: Many people think of veal as deriving from baby calves. In fact, veal calves are typically 5 to 6 months old and weigh approximately 500 lb. when market ready. Ironically, veal is one of the older proteins most American’s will eat. Here's a quick comparison with other proteins when market ready: chicken 5 to 9 weeks; turkey, 16 weeks; pork, 4 months; lamb, 6 to 12 months; beef, 18 months.

A: Dairy cows must calve every year in order to maintain milk production. Heifer (female) calves, are raised to re-enter the herd as milking cows. Bull (male) calves, provide little to no value to dairy farmers. The formula-fed veal industry evolved by utilizing a by-product of the cheese industry (whey) and a by-product of the dairy industry (bull calves). The flavor and texture of meat from dairy breeds is not desirable, and therefore they are not typically marketed as beef. Raising them as veal supports the dairy industry, which provides us with delicious ice cream, lattes, and cheese.

A: Strauss Free Raised® veal calves are raised 100% on pasture, free to roam, with unlimited access to mother's milk alongside the herd. This type of authentic, natural pasture raising eliminates the need for antibiotics.

Strauss Group Raised veal calves come from many dairy farms, bringing with them various health concerns. Strauss group raised veal calves are given medications as needed in order to maintain good calf health and comfort. By raising our formula-fed calves in a 100% tether-free and group raised environment, we've been able to dramatically improve calf health and further reduce the need for medication.

A: No. The USDA does not allow growth hormones or growth stimulants to be administered to veal calves. Strauss does not support the use of growth stimulants raising for livestock. We believe that nature's pace is the best way.

A: Our Free Raised® veal calves are born and pasture‐raised throughout the United States. We have developed a proprietary network of certified family farmers and ranchers who raise our calves to our exceptional standards – with care and respect, naturally. We “follow the grass” seasonally across the U.S. from America’s abundant pastures.

Our group raised calves are born and raised by family farmers throughout the upper midwest, where dairy farms thrive.

A: No. The small white hutches that you may see on farms are typically located on dairy farms and not veal farms. They are used as shelters to raise young heifer (female) calves that will reenter the dairy herd as milking cows when they mature.

A:

• Veal, “Bob”


• About 15% of veal calves.


• Harvested from days old, up to three weeks of age or approximately 150 pounds.


• Primary Source: Holstein bull calf

• Special Fed or Formula Fed


• Calves are raised until approximately 16 to 18 weeks of age, weighing up to 450 pounds.


• Primary Source: Holstein bull calf


• Housed in specially designed facilities that typically include single‐calf stalls or crates.


• Recently, some growers have converted to a more humane and compassionate pen raising method. This is referred to as “group‐raised”.


• Diet consists primarily of a whey‐based liquid milk replacer.

• Grain Fed


• Grain-fed calves are typically raised on a liquid whey‐formula until 6‐ 8 weeks of age.


• Then move to outdoor pen or group facilities and fed a diet of grain and forage.


• Harvested at approximately 16‐18 weeks and 450 pounds

• Pasture Raised


• Defined January 2008


• Calves are born and raised in an open pastures.


• Calves are free to roam, never tethered or confined.


• Diet consists of mother’s milk and natural grass pasture and forages.


• Primary source: varies upon producer, may include heritage beef or dairy breeds.