Our Comic – Bored Cow

We like to imagine dairy cows living on wide open green pastures.

"our dairy cows are standing in a large empty field on a sunny day. They are chewing grass, and they look happy. One asks, 'Are we dreaming this?' "

The kind with a charming red barn and windmill in the background.

"The same four cows are standing in the same field. This time, however, there's a red barn and a windmill in the background. One cow says, 'We're definitely dreaming this.' "

We picture them happy. How could they not be? This is where cows belong!

"Three of the cows are still happily eating grass in the sunny field and one says, 'Please don't wake us up.' "

Unfortunately, it’s not where most of them actually are.

" The once happy field has turned into a grey factory farm. The dairy cow is frowning and has an ear tag. She is holding on to a rusty railing and says, 'You woke us up...' "

The majority of dairy cows in the United States now live on factory farms.

"Hundreds of cows are standing in a cramped, grey factory farm with ear tags and frowns on their face. There are clouds in the sky and the sun has sad eyes and a frown. One cow says, 'This is not okay.' "

Which are often a lot more ‘factory’ than ‘farm.

"From a high angle view you see rows and rows of cow sheds next to a factory emitting a mysterious green exhaust. You see a large eighteen wheeler driving down a road between the factories."

Factory farms make dairy products cheap and plentiful.

"There are five shelves full of different dairy products on a grocery store shelf with a grey, dismal, background. "

They also create a lot of problems, and not just for cows.

"The earth and the moon are on a dark grey background and both have sad, tired, eyes and frowns. The earth says, 'This is not sustainable.' "

Factory farming is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Five cows are standing in the factory farm surrounded by grey and green clouds. They are holding their bellies and belching, blowing out green clouds of gas. One says, 'Here come the methane burps.' "

It’s also a major driver of deforestation.

"A squirrel and bunny stand in a forest full of tree stumps and only a few remaining trees. There is a thunderstorm and rain. The bunny has sad, tired, eyes and a frown. The squirrel is crying. "

Not to mention water pollution.

"Three cows are standing in front of a manure lagoon filling up with green animal waste, pesticides, and insecticides. The factory farm is visible behind them and is still emitting green exhaust. One of the cows says, 'Yikes.' "

The good news? We don’t need factory farms to make dairy.

"There are hundreds of cows walking out of the factory farm. The sky is blue and there is a sign that reads, 'closed'. The cows are relieved and happy. One cow says, 'Now what?' "

In fact, we don’t even need cows.

"It is a beautiful, sunny, day. Three cows are standing in a field with big smiles. They have suitcases that are brightly colored and covered in stickers with trees, musical notes, spaceships, and flowers. One cow exclaims, 'We're...free?' "

Instead, we can partner with companies like Perfect Day to make milk protein using microflora.

"There is a microscope showing a zoomed in view of cow-print microflora. A cow pops out from behind and exclaims gleefully, 'Let's make whey!' "

We can combine that milk protein with plant-based ingredients.

"A Carton of Bored Cow animal-free dairy is visible with drawings representing the ingredients inside including a sunflower, cacao, leaves and a vanilla plant. "

And supercharge it with vitamins and minerals.

"A carton of Bored Cow animal-free dairy is visible with drawings representing the vitamins inside and their benefits. You see Vitamin B12 (hearts), Vitamin D (clouds), Vitamin A (eyes), Potassium (avocado and banana), and calcium (bone)."

So it looks, feels, and tastes just like the real thing.

"A brown carton of Bored Cow animal-free dairy milk and a glass full of chocolate milk with a straw."

If we can do that, we can change how dairy is made forever.

"At the grocery store you see shelves full of different animal-free dairy products. The background is light blue and the cartons of milks, creamers, yogurts, butter, and ice cream are brightly colored. The sign reads, 'animal-free dairy' "

And leave dairy cows to do dairy cow things.

" It's a bright sunny day and a dairy cow is in a field happily eating grass. She says, 'Something is different.' "

Like grazing on wide open green pastures.

" Several dairy cows are standing in a field with a red barn and windmill behind them and trees all around. It is a sunny, bright day and the cows are all happily grazing with smiles on their faces. One cow says, 'This is real life!' "

Or recording their debut album.

"A dairy cow is standing in a recording studio holding a ukulele and near a microphone. She is wearing a green beanie and green jacket, with a cow bell pin. She has replaced her factory farm ear tag with a trendy ear ring. She says, 'what a thrill' "

Or going where no cow has gone before.

"Another dairy cow is standing in a pink spacesuit and a blue helmet. She has a patch with a cowbell symbol on it. She is inside a spaceship observing the planets and stars. She has a space acquaintance, a chicken in a space helmet. "

We’ll leave it up to them.

"Another cow is in a skatepark holding a skateboard and wearing sunglasses and a helmet. She has a messenger bag with a cowbell printed on it. She says, 'Thanks Humans!' In the background there's a chicken looking out the window and a barn in the skyline"

@tryboredcow