Jeeneia, dairy cows bawl their hearts out for 2 or 3 days every year when their calves are taken away from them. If the calves were left with them, it dramatically reduces the milk output.
Like it or not, farming is business, the concept of self sustaining small farming is enchanting for families who want to get away from it all, but the townies need to be fed cheaply, and techno farming is the only way to do it.