Violation of ISKCON Minimum Cow Protection Standards

[suchandra 1]

Thursday, March 30, 2007

 

Violation of ISKCON Minimum Cow Protection Standards

 

 

In response to Madhava Gosh’s letter, I feel compelled to publicly voice my observation on the purchase of new cows to restart the New Vrindavan herd. During the course of numerous discussions with the NV cow department over the last 10 years, it was acknowledged that the breed of choice to restart the New Vrindavan herd would be Brown Swiss.

 

Last November a donor gave a sizable donation to purchase cows. More cows than we wanted to begin with. At that time, 2 Brown Swiss heifers were located and they were both pregnant. They were purchased and close to Christmas day, they both gave birth to bull calves during the Mangal Artik time (4:30 am). So 2 cows now turn into 4 cows. It was also considered auspicious that both calves born were bull calves, because this will be the 1st ox team for the new herd. So far so good.

 

About 10 days ago, Ranaka prabhu (goshalla in charge) and I again were talking about the next installment of new cows for New Vrindavan. He said it was hard to find Brown Swiss and he was thinking about the Jersey breed. There was no talk of actually buying the next installment of cows. Three days ago, I heard that 5 pregnant Holsteins had been purchased and they would be arriving on Wed. March 28th. These 5 pregnant Holsteins cost $8,000 and were delivered to the temple.

 

The problem lies in the fact that the temple goshalla has maxed out the little barn by the temple. The little barn has 8 stalls which will now be filled. The 2 existing calves are now living in what would be the birthing stall and within 2 to 3 months there will be at least another 3 calves. What to do with the calves when the birthing stall is needed?

 

When I asked Ranaka prabhu about the calves and birthing stall, he said cows could be sent to the big barn in the valley where New Vrindavan ran their commercial dairy that was shut down in 1992. At this location, 2 miles away, 150 cows were milking tied into a commercial dairy quota of milk for sale.

 

A few years ago, Radhanath Swami and other devotees at NV wanted to counteract the past history of cow neglect that took place at the NV big barn. The consensus was that when the cows are out of sight, less community participation in their care takes place and that’s one of the reasons that the cows were neglected. Even today, the old cows and invalid cows are staying at the big barn and do not receive proper medical attention. Guest are not brought down there, nor do the devotees go down there regularly.

 

Once again, the cows are being sent out of sight, out of mind.

 

When I asked Ranaka prabhu what the plan was for the new cows and calves, it was stated that there is no plan.

 

After 12 years of trying to get New Vrindavan to at least name their cows and to at least comply with the Minimum ISKCON Cow Protection Standards, it is now necessary to bring up this current violation. The purchase of these last 5 pregnant cows was a total surprise to the vast majority of community members, what to speak of some of the current Board of Trustees who had no idea that the purchase was taking place. The final straw of Managerial neglect is that there is no plan other than milk production for these cows.

 

I have been giving seminars at New Vrindavan for several years now entitled HOLISTIC COW CARE: NOT JUST MILK. It is unfortunate that this topic has fallen on deaf ears and that the cows are still considered as CASH COWS for fund raising, for milk production, and possibly for commercial milk sales. My position as the ISKCON Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture is as an advisor. My advice on this purchase of 5 pregnant Holsteins was not sought. If consulted, I would have said too many cows too quickly. I am writing this letter to go on record that I was not a part of this purchase nor do I approve of this purchase.

 

Listed below is Standard 9, Requirements for Acquiring Cows, Not Allowed.

This is the standard that New Vrindavan has violated.

 

Not Allowed

• 1) Animal Acquisition

Procuring or breeding of a cow for the purpose of supplying milk without any plan for the care, training and engagement of offspring.

• 2) Lack of land and funds for animal care. Failure to provide sufficient land, cowherds, and funds to support the cow and/or offspring.

 

For a full view of the standards refer to: MINIMUM COW PROTECTION STANDARDS, ISKCON Law 507

 

Go to Section 2: Breeding Standards, Standard 1X Requirements for Acquiring Cows

 

Your servant,

Balabhadra das

ISKCON Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture

 

 

Posted by Balabhadra das at 5:51 PM

[Guest guest]

Why has Balabhadra das prabhu gone public with this? Is he just trying to clear his name from this in case it becomes an issue in the future? Not questioning his motive as he appears to be a sincere person with genuine concerns for welfare of the cows but just seeking clarification. It's an important issue.

 

 

Thursday, March 30, 2007

 

[="]Violation of ISKCON Minimum Cow Protection Standards

 

 

In response to , I feel compelled to publicly voice my observation on the purchase of new cows to restart the New Vrindavan herd. During the course of numerous discussions with the NV cow department over the last 10 years, it was acknowledged that the breed of choice to restart the New Vrindavan herd would be Brown Swiss.

 

Last November a donor gave a sizable donation to purchase cows. More cows than we wanted to begin with. At that time, 2 Brown Swiss heifers were located and they were both pregnant. They were purchased and close to Christmas day, they both gave birth to bull calves during the Mangal Artik time (4:30 am). So 2 cows now turn into 4 cows. It was also considered auspicious that both calves born were bull calves, because this will be the 1st ox team for the new herd. So far so good.

 

About 10 days ago, Ranaka prabhu (goshalla in charge) and I again were talking about the next installment of new cows for New Vrindavan. He said it was hard to find Brown Swiss and he was thinking about the Jersey breed. There was no talk of actually buying the next installment of cows. Three days ago, I heard that 5 pregnant Holsteins had been purchased and they would be arriving on Wed. March 28th. These 5 pregnant Holsteins cost $8,000 and were delivered to the temple.

 

The problem lies in the fact that the temple goshalla has maxed out the little barn by the temple. The little barn has 8 stalls which will now be filled. The 2 existing calves are now living in what would be the birthing stall and within 2 to 3 months there will be at least another 3 calves. What to do with the calves when the birthing stall is needed?

 

When I asked Ranaka prabhu about the calves and birthing stall, he said cows could be sent to the big barn in the valley where New Vrindavan ran their commercial dairy that was shut down in 1992. At this location, 2 miles away, 150 cows were milking tied into a commercial dairy quota of milk for sale.

 

A few years ago, Radhanath Swami and other devotees at NV wanted to counteract the past history of cow neglect that took place at the NV big barn. The consensus was that when the cows are out of sight, less community participation in their care takes place and that’s one of the reasons that the cows were neglected. Even today, the old cows and invalid cows are staying at the big barn and do not receive proper medical attention. Guest are not brought down there, nor do the devotees go down there regularly.

 

Once again, the cows are being sent out of sight, out of mind.

 

When I asked Ranaka prabhu what the plan was for the new cows and calves, it was stated that there is no plan.

 

After 12 years of trying to get New Vrindavan to at least name their cows and to at least comply with the Minimum ISKCON Cow Protection Standards, it is now necessary to bring up this current violation. The purchase of these last 5 pregnant cows was a total surprise to the vast majority of community members, what to speak of some of the current Board of Trustees who had no idea that the purchase was taking place. The final straw of Managerial neglect is that there is no plan other than milk production for these cows.

 

I have been giving seminars at New Vrindavan for several years now entitled HOLISTIC COW CARE: NOT JUST MILK. It is unfortunate that this topic has fallen on deaf ears and that the cows are still considered as CASH COWS for fund raising, for milk production, and possibly for commercial milk sales. My position as the ISKCON Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture is as an advisor. My advice on this purchase of 5 pregnant Holsteins was not sought. If consulted, I would have said too many cows too quickly. I am writing this letter to go on record that I was not a part of this purchase nor do I approve of this purchase.

 

Listed below is Standard 9, Requirements for Acquiring Cows, Not Allowed.

This is the standard that New Vrindavan has violated.

 

Not Allowed

• 1) Animal Acquisition

Procuring or breeding of a cow for the purpose of supplying milk without any plan for the care, training and engagement of offspring.

• 2) Lack of land and funds for animal care. Failure to provide sufficient land, cowherds, and funds to support the cow and/or offspring.

 

For a full view of the standards refer to:

 

Go to Section 2: Breeding Standards, Standard 1X Requirements for Acquiring Cows

 

Your servant,

Balabhadra das

ISKCON Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture

 

 

Posted by Balabhadra das at g?blogID=31560408&postID=7362761897486677641"]

[bhaktachris 0]

[Guest guest]

Bhakta Chris prabhu,

 

Dandavats & obeisances to you and all Vaisnavas! So Balabadra prabhu's is a case of pot calling the kettle black, ey?!

 

If what you say is true, then that is sad. Anyways, why are so many devotees against paying salaries? I mean if a person is Grhasta, then he needs some money to maintain his family, correct? So if BalaB prabhu went to Mayapur to get his dues, why do you think it's wrong?

 

But I agree that the cows should have been entrusted to someone else and not left unattended. It is sad indeed that one cow died being trapped in wire fencing. There is so much offensive mentalities going around in ISKCON these says. Some people seem to have lost the fear of committing Vaisnava aparadha. And that includes me. I must admit that I've committed some serious aparadhas as well and I don't even seem to regret it much.