No Scrubs: Breeding a Better Bull

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
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