Bocaddon Farm Veal - The Real Veal Company

Welfare-friendly veal from South East Cornwall
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Frequently Asked Questions

 
Q: What is a veal calf?
A: Any calf can be reared for meat, but veal is usually produced from the male calves from dairy herds.  Dairy cows need to give birth to a calf every year in order to produce enough milk.  The female calves are lucky - they are kept to join the herd and replace the older cows when they retire.  Male calves are not so fortunate.  A very small percentage are kept for breeding purposes, but the rest are either slaughtered at birth, or reared intensively for low-quality beef.  Unless they are reared for veal...
 
Q: Aren't veal calves kept in crates?
A: Crates which restrict the movement of calves have been illegal in the UK since 1990, and have recently been banned throughout the European Union.  Veal had a very bad reputation in the past, and rightly so - calves were kept indoors in horrendous conditions.  This is not the case with our welfare-friendly veal.
 

Q: What is 'welfare-friendly'?
A: Our calves are reared in open air yards with deep straw bedding and a varied diet.  The straw keeps them warm and dry, and they have room to run around.  The calves get a bit of sunshine when the weather allows, as well as shelter from the rain.
 
Q: Isn't it cruel to eat such young animals?
A: Our calves are reared to between 5 and 6 months of age.  This is older than most pork and lamb, and much older than any chicken you will find in the supermarket.  The idea that veal is from younger animals than most meat on the market couldn't be further from the truth.

 

Q: Why is Bocaddon Farm Veal pink rather than white?

A: Traditionally veal had a white colour, and this was achieved by depriving the calves of iron in their diet.  Bocaddon Farm Veal is a darker pink colour (sometimes called rose veal), due to the calves' varied diet and welfare-friendly lifestyle.  We hope you agree that our meat has a beautiful flavour, while still retaining the tenderness associated with veal.