I live in Vermont - and have lived near two farms for at least 15 years. One farmer treats his animals like pets, but doesn't have the Vet come out unless its an emergency. He doesn't REALLY take care of them like you and I would take care of a dog or a cat. They are way over-fed and seldom have the hooves trimmed.

The other farm, on the other side of me is in business. They have clean, clean environments for their cattle and they have a Vet there often. They also sell their milk to a BST free conglomerate. Actually, I had several cows in my yard this morning on my way to work. I had to herd them back to the farm with my car horn! It was pretty funny.

So, each farmer decides what he/she is willing to spend on their animals. Who is to say what is correct, other than those times when neglect is evident.

Farmers around here are finding it difficult to dispose of sick cattle so they often take them into the woods, shoot them and the bury them with a backhoe. I don't know what they do in other farms, but here it is expensive to dispose of sick or dying cows.

Anywho, I imagine each state has its own laws and requirements when it comes to selling a product to the public vs. having cattle/animals as pets.