Happy animals, happy customers.

Veal calves are raised on a diet rich in milk proteins, which helps create the soft, tender texture and delicate taste of veal. That high-quality, consistent product is the end result of a highly detailed management system that prioritizes humane rearing practices and food safety.

A common misconception about veal is that it is harvested from very young animals. In truth, veal calves grow to about 500 pounds, which is more than a third of the weight of a market beef steer. They are raised to an age of 24-28 weeks, which is much longer than chicken and lamb, and about the same as pork.

Today’s veal calves are housed in clean, comfortable, well-ventilated, climate-controlled barns with secure flooring and plenty of resting space. For their first few weeks of life, they are housed and tended to individually, to ensure that each one develops a healthy immune system and are eating with gusto. 

Next they are moved to group pens, where they can enjoy the companionship of other calves. Here they still enjoy the freedom to move around, play, drink fresh water, groom themselves and lie down on a clean, comfortable surface. Veal calves also are neither castrated nor dehorned.

All of the veal we sell in California is raised according to California Proposition 12 standards. Among the requirements is the specification that every animal has 43 square feet of resting space. We welcome inspection and verification of our rearing practices to demonstrate our commitment to complying with California standards. 

In addition, all of our calves are raised without synthetic hormones. They receive antibiotic therapy only when they are sick, and strictly according to treatments prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. Additional steps specified by the industry-wide Veal Quality Assurance program ensure the safe and humane rearing practices of every animal raised for veal.

In addition to their milk diet, our calves receive grain and roughage to satisfy their natural chewing instincts. And they love their milk! Mature veal calves drink up to 10 gallons of milk per day. This generous diet, combined with their relaxed, low-stress lifestyle, makes them arguably some of the happiest critters on the planet.

Learn how calves that are fed a milk-rich diet translates into a healthy and flavorful meal.