====== Happy Milk Inc. - Lifestock ======

The ingredients used in the various Shork Icecream Cafes and Restaurants come from various sources. 
Milk and several other resources come from Happy Milk Inc, another subsidiary of the Shork Group.

Happy Milk operates a lot of so-called "Vertical Farms", that is, farms located in otherwise abandoned skyscrapers or warehouses.
The reason is to produce the goods as close to the consumer as possible.\\
Happy Milk takes it's own name very serious. Their special breed of Black Angus cows, jokingly referred to as "Rubber Cows" due to their furs slick black colour, are treated well above the average standards in the industry, resulting in long lives for the cows.

====== Lifecycle of a cow in a normal dairy farm ======

Here's a general overview of the lifecycle of a typical cow in a commercial farming setting, keeping in mind that practices may vary based on location, farming methods, and individual circumstances:

  * Birth and Early Life (0-2 years): \\ The calf is born and spends the initial months with its mother. During this period, calves may be subjected to processes like dehorning and castration / neutering / spaying, which can be done without anesthesia in some cases.
  * Weaning (2-6 months): \\Calves are weaned off their mother's milk and transition to a diet of solid food.
  * Growing (6 months - 1 year):\\Calves continue to grow and are often kept in group pens or larger enclosures.
  * Breeding (1-2 years):\\ Females are artificially inseminated or mated with a bull to initiate the reproductive cycle. \\Males may be raised for beef.
  * Milk Production (2-7 years): \\Females are continuously impregnated to maintain milk production. \\Cows are usually kept in milking herds and undergo the milking process two or more times a day.
  * Reproduction and Milk Decline (7+ years): \\As cows age, their milk production decreases, and the frequency of pregnancies may decrease. \\Eventually, they are considered less economically viable for milk production.
  * Retirement and Slaughter (varies): \\Cows may be sold for beef production when their milk production declines significantly.
        In some cases, they may be retired and live out the rest of their lives on the farm.

It's important to note that animal welfare standards vary globally, and some farms prioritize the well-being of their animals more than others. In more humane farming systems, efforts are made to provide better living conditions, reduce stress, and minimize pain during procedures.

====== Lifecycle of a cow in a Happy Milk Inc dairy farm ======

Here's the ethically designed lifecycle for rubber cows in Happy Milk Inc dairy farms, considering their well-being at each stage:

  * Birth to 3 years: Calfhood \\Calves are nurtured by their mothers and grow in a supportive environment. \\Not used for any commercial purposes during this time.
  * 3 to 5 years: Adolescence \\Adulthood is reached, allowing for the onset of mature reproductive capabilities. \\No artificial insemination is done until the cow reaches at least 3 years to ensure full maturation.
  * 4 to 14 years: Milking Phase \\Artificial insemination occurs, inducing lactation. \\Cows are milked regularly but with humane practices, ensuring their well-being. \\A cow typically has around 10 years of productive milking, though Happy Milk Inc can often proove much longer times of productive use.
  * 14 to 15 years: Retirement from Milking \\Cows are retired from the milking phase, ensuring a peaceful and serene environment.         They can be introduced to nurseries or educational settings to interact with children, the elderly or mentally disabled persons.
  * 15+ years: End of Life \\Towards the end of their life, they are given a peaceful retirement. \\As they reach a comfortable age, they may pass away naturally or be humanely euthanized when needed.

Lifetime Production Overview:

  * Offspring: One calf every 2 to 3 years during the milking phase.
  * Milk Production: Varies, but averages around 4,000 to 6,000 gallons over the milking years.
  * Other Products: Various by-products from milk processing, such as cheese, yogurt, and rubber materials.

Happy Milk Inc's approach prioritizes the well-being and ethical treatment of cows throughout their lives, with a focus on a natural and caring lifecycle.