[dsushant]

> If you cannot afford to live yourself, I expect the cows won't have much of a life either. But that's just an assumption.

That's a fair assumption for a commercial operation. In India, small holders (2-3 cattle) are in majority & the primary use is for tilling fields. Consequently, cattle are considered & treated as family members, rather than as milk producing machines. Even if the farmer has to live frugally, he/she does not ill treat cattle.

> It is a good question though, and especially timely as the Canadian government is seriously leaning towards scrapping the quota system entirely.

Thanks for that info - will be interesting to assess the outcome if the shift happens.