Vaccines in Cows: The Hidden Costs of Industrial Farming Practices

Vaccines for cattle farming have become a standard part of modern industrial agriculture. They are designed to mitigate the risks of disease outbreaks common in confined, high-density farming operations. While these vaccines may reduce immediate risks to livestock health, they raise critical concerns about their long-term impact on meat quality, animal welfare, and human health. 

A deeper examination of this issue reveals that the over-reliance on vaccines and other pharmaceutical interventions stems from a flawed system prioritizing efficiency and profit over the natural health of animals. This blog explores why vaccines are used, the consequences of these interventions, the role of GMO feeds in compromising animal health, and the solution offered by pasture-based farming. It concludes with how Pluck Organ Meat Seasonings sources organ meats from New Zealand cattle raised under the highest health and sustainability standards.

Why Vaccines Are Used in Industrial Farming

In conventional farming, cattle are often raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), where thousands of animals are housed in close quarters. These crowded conditions create an environment ripe for the spread of infectious diseases, and vaccines are used as a preventative measure to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks. Diseases such as bovine respiratory disease, clostridial infections, and leptospirosis are common in these environments, and vaccination programs are often administered on a herd-wide basis.1

While effective at minimizing disease in these conditions, the need for vaccines highlights an underlying problem: the unhealthy and unnatural environments in which these animals are raised. Animals kept in cramped spaces with poor ventilation and little access to natural grazing often have weaker immune systems, making them more prone to illness. To manage this, conventional farms often turn to heavy use of pharmaceuticals to keep the herds healthy in these unnatural environments.2

The Risks and Downsides of Vaccines for Cattle

Vaccines are effective at preventing certain diseases, but they’re not without risks. Some cattle experience adverse reactions, such as inflammation or a temporary drop in productivity, after being vaccinated. There’s also a lot we don’t know about the long-term impact of repeated vaccinations on their immune systems. Vaccine residues in meat are becoming a growing concern due to their potential impact on human health. mRNA vaccines in livestock have only amplified these worries, leading to serious questions about safety and transparency in our food supply.

Many people worry about the potential long-term effects of eating meat from animals given mRNA vaccines, and this has led to growing demand for beef from livestock raised without vaccines.3,4

The Problem with GMO Feeds in Livestock Farming

Along with vaccination concerns, conventional cattle farming often relies on genetically modified (GMO) feeds, primarily corn and soy, to quickly and inexpensively fatten animals. These feeds are engineered to resist herbicides like glyphosate, which leaves chemical residues that can accumulate in the animals’ tissues. Consuming meat from animals raised on GMO feeds has been tied to potential health risks for humans, such as hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and disrupted gut health.5

Beyond their direct impact on animal health, GMO crops also degrade soil quality and harm biodiversity, lowering the feed's nutritional value. When animals are fed poor-quality feed, their immune systems weaken, and farmers rely more on vaccines and antibiotics to keep them healthy. A vicious cycle follows: animals on nutrient-deficient diets get sick more often, which leads to an even greater need for pharmaceuticals.6

Grass-Grazing: The Natural Solution
Pasture-raised cattle offer a better way to address the problems caused by conventional farming. When cattle are free to graze on grass, they develop stronger immune systems and are less likely to suffer from diseases that often affect confined livestock. In a pasture-based system, animals benefit from fresh air, plenty of exercise, and a varied diet of grasses and herbs, all of which support their overall health. Grazing reduces the need for vaccines and eliminates the need for GMO feeds altogether.7 

Grass-fed, grass-finished cattle produce meat that is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A and K2. These nutrients enhance the meat's flavor and provide significant health benefits for consumers, including reduced inflammation and improved cardiovascular health. Pasture-raised cattle thrive on diets and environments that fit their instincts, leading to healthier livestock and cleaner, nutrient-packed meat.8

The Consequences of Industrial Farming on Meat Quality and Human Health

Industrial farming practices impact more than just the animals—they also affect the quality of our food and, ultimately, our health. Meat from conventionally raised cattle often contains residues of vaccines, antibiotics, and herbicides used in GMO feed production. These residues may contribute to human health issues, such as increased inflammation, hormonal disruptions, and a greater risk of antibiotic resistance. Meat from cattle that eat grain and soy just doesn’t stack up nutritionally like beef from grass-fed cattle. It’s lower in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K2. Plus, industrial farming brings serious environmental damage—soil erosion, water pollution, and a drop in biodiversity. These issues clarify that we need a more ethical and sustainable way to raise livestock.9,10

Vaccination Practices in New Zealand

In New Zealand, cattle farming focuses on the health and well-being of the animals. Cattle roam freely on open pastures, so there’s no need for vaccines or pharmaceutical treatments. Raising them on grass benefits the animals and shows a real commitment to keeping the land, water, and air clean. Because of this, New Zealand beef has become a top choice for people who care about ethical farming.

Instead of relying on vaccines to manage disease, New Zealand farmers use preventative strategies like rotational grazing, which lowers disease risk by reducing contact with parasites and pathogens. GMO feeds are not part of the system, and there’s been no reported use of mRNA vaccines, making New Zealand beef a top choice for health-conscious consumers. These methods not only produce healthier, nutrient-dense meat but also meet the growing demand for transparency and accountability in how our food is raised.10

Why Avoid Vaccinated Cattle and GMO Feeds

Avoiding vaccinated cattle and GMO feeds is an important step towards quality health. When cattle are raised in confined spaces and given vaccines or GMO feeds, the focus tends to be on getting the job done quickly, not on the quality of the food or the well-being of the animals. But when you go for pasture-raised cattle, free from those treatments, you're choosing food that's more natural and better for your body—food that supports your health in a real way. By purchasing meat from non-vaccinated, grass-fed cattle, you are supporting animal welfare, environmental health, and human well-being— providing a cleaner, more nutrient-dense source of protein.11

Pluck Organ Meat Seasonings: A Commitment to Quality

At Pluck, the quality of the ingredients we use directly impacts the health and satisfaction of our customers. That’s why we source our organ meats from New Zealand cattle raised under the highest health and sustainability standards. Our cattle are pasture-raised, grass-fed, and grass-finished, without exposure to GMO feeds, hormones, or unnecessary vaccines. 

These animals thrive in their natural environment, producing nutrient-rich organ meats free from the residues and contaminants common in conventionally raised livestock. Our freeze-dried, powdered organ meats deliver the same high-quality nutrients found in premium supplements, offering an easy and delicious way to incorporate the benefits of organ meats into your diet. By choosing Pluck Organ Meat Seasonings, you’re not just making a healthier choice for yourself—you’re supporting ethical farming practices that prioritize the well-being of animals and the environment.

Conclusion

The widespread use of vaccines and GMO feeds in conventional cattle farming indicates larger problems within industrial agriculture. These practices show how profit and efficiency often come before animal welfare and meat quality. Pasture-based farming takes a different approach, letting cattle live naturally and produce cleaner, more nutritious meat. Pluck sources organ meats from New Zealand cattle raised without vaccines, GMO feeds, or hormones, ensuring quality and care at every step. Choosing Pluck means enjoying the health benefits of high-quality organ meats while supporting a healthier, more sustainable food system for future generations.

Citations: 

1. Yzermans, Joris, et al. "Doctor-diagnosed health problems in a region with a high density of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)." Environmental Health 15 (2016): 24. Environmental Health Journal

2. Brooks, Barbara W., et al. "Impact of antibiotic use in concentrated animal feeding operations on human health." Environmental Health Perspectives 112.1 (2004): 1-4. 

3. Thomas, Heather Smith. "Adverse Reactions to Vaccines and Drugs in Cattle." Canadian Cattlemen, 12 Oct. 2015, canadiancattlemen.ca.

4. Gordon, Jessica. "mRNA Vaccines in Livestock." Tennessee Farm Bureau, tnfarmbureau.org.

5. Shen, Chen, et al. "Evaluation of adverse effects/events of genetically modified food consumption: a systematic review of animal and human studies." Environmental Sciences Europe, vol. 34, no. 8, 2022, https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-021-00578-9.

6. Dunfield, K. E., and E. A. G. Germida. "Impact of genetically modified plants on soil- and plant-associated microbial communities." Journal of Environmental Quality, vol. 33, no. 3, 2004, pp. 806-815, https://www.cyberacteurs.org/sans_ogm/fichiers/jeq-33-3-0806.pdf.

7. Duckett, S. K., et al. "Effects of time on feed on beef nutrient composition." Journal of Animal Science, vol. 86, no. 12, 2008, pp. 3575-3581.
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8. Kaur, Dr. Manpreet, et al. "NZ study focuses on health and dietary benefits of grassfed beef." Beef Central, 2022. 

9. Gordon, Jessica. "NZ study focuses on health and dietary benefits of grassfed beef." Beef Central, 2022.

10. Duckett, S. K., et al. "Effects of time on feed on beef nutrient composition." Journal of Animal Science, vol. 86, no. 12, 2008, pp. 3575-3581.

Pelletier, N., R. Pirog, and R. Rasmussen. "Comparative life cycle environmental impacts of three beef production strategies in the Upper Midwestern United States." Agricultural Systems, vol. 103, no. 6, 2010, pp. 380-389.