No Scrubs: Breeding a Better Bull

Gastropod

Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

Science, Food, History, Arts

4.7 • 3.5K Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2015

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 1900, the average dairy cow in America produced 424 gallons of milk each year. By 2000, that figure had more than quadrupled, to 2,116 gallons. In this episode of Gastropod, we explore the incredible science that transformed the American cow into a milk machine—but we also uncover the disturbing history of prejudice and animal cruelty that accompanied it. Along the way, we’ll introduce you to the insane logic of the Lifetime Cheese Merit algorithm and the surreal bull trials of the 1920s. This is the untold story behind that most wholesome and quotidian of beverages: milk. Prepare to be horrified and amazed in equal measure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The best part about summer? Family fun days are bad!
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0:31.0	I'll tell you what initially hooked me about this story was that the number one ranked bull in the country.
0:40.0	With the one with the most valuable seam in in all the land was called Badger Bluff Fanny Freddy.
0:47.0	There was just something about the silliness of the name, not even a racehorse name,
0:53.0	but just like seemingly a bunch of random words plucked from like a Wisconsin sports fan who was like thinking about the financial crisis.
1:01.0	Or something like a just like the strangest combination and yet of every single bull in the entire United States, like this was the guy.
1:13.0	That was journalist Alexis Magical and he was introducing us to Badger Bluff Fanny Freddy, the most valuable bull in America.
1:22.0	And while we're doing introductions, I'm Nicola Twilly.
1:24.0	And I'm Cynthia Graber. In this episode of Gastropod, we set out to uncover the big data and genomic science transforming our livestock in particular dairy cattle.
1:34.0	But we also get into its murky history and it's deeply, deeply disturbing animal welfare implications.
1:41.0	So consider this a trigger warning of sorts. I mean regular listeners will know that we usually take a pretty lighthearted approach even to serious topics.
1:49.0	And I have to admit, even just saying Badger Bluff Fanny Freddy makes me giggle.
1:54.0	But some of the stories we tell in this episode are very dark and difficult to hear.
1:59.0	And if you usually listen with kids and we know that some of you do, you may want to screen it on your own first.
2:04.0	Okay, with that warning out of the way, back to Badger Bluff Fanny Freddy.
2:10.0	So a couple of years ago, Alexis wrote a long story for the Atlantic about, you know, can I just call him Freddy for short?
2:17.0	Sure. Why not? It's a little easier.
	...

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