Animated Short Shows Exactly What Happens To Cows Raised For Beef

The life of a beef cow is tragic one. The majestic bovine’s entire existence is centered around providing us carnivores with delicious red meat to grill, braise, and roast.

Sam O’Nella Academy created an animated video summarizing some common industry practices of raising and slaughtering cattle. The YouTuber notes, however, that no two farms are alike and that this video is merely a summary.

The slightly not-safe-for-work short follows a calf named Craig from birth to death. After the first ten months of his life, Craig is auctioned off to a feedlot until he is fully grown. He then goes to a packing plant to complete his life cycle and become beef.

After becoming stunned, or killed, the beef cows undergo an electrical stunning to speed up the process of rigor mortis. A few other things happen to Craig that we won’t go into detail with, but eventually he’s butchered into cuts and sent off to suppliers.

Check out the animated video to get an idea of what the life of a beef cow looks like. Their sacrifices will not go unappreciated.