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Female calves go back into the system, whereas male calves can go two ways: 1. Disposed of (in the dumpster until collection) or 2. Sold off like you mentioned, although not usually for human consumption as dairy cows are very different to cows for meat. Usually they are disposed of though.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/26/dairy-di...

We don't have (a lot?) Of the classic diary cows here in Switzerland. My neighbor calves are grown either 8 months (grown calv) or ~12 months ('cow') and sold as meat. A majority of our cow meat is grown in such a 'organic' way.

Slight impact yes, but pushback not really. Modern dairy breeds are very different from meat breeds. Using dairy breed calves for consumption is a reaction to the problem of calf disposal but not a necessity of meat production.

Female calves are raised to make more milk. Male calves are rare due to new tech which filters the sperm pre-insemination.