Footage at Agresti Calf Ranch shows workers yanking a cow’s tail, kicking a calf in the face, and pulling the nose of a cow violently with pliers

- California, USA -

On February 26, 2026, a drone by factory farm investigators with Direct Action Everywhere captured footage at Agresti Calf Ranch showing unspeakable treatment of defenseless cows at the hands of malevolent workers.

Direct Action Everywhere said in their press release that Agresti Calf Ranch in Ceres, Stanislaus County, "...raises calves for Double D Dairies, a supplier of milk to Clover Sonoma since 2016. Agresti Calf Ranch and Double D Dairies are both owned and operated by the Agresti family."

According to Direct Action Everywhere, the sickening footage “...shows calves being kicked in the face, yanked by their tails, and disbudded with hot irons until they collapse in pain. Disbudding is the process of removing horn-producing tissues in young calves.”

In the footage, two male workers are seen unmercifully abusing the cows with one of them wearing a shirt depicting the Virgin Mary!

As pointed out by Direct Action Everywhere, industry guidelines dictate that anesthetics must be used during the painful process of disbudding. However, “over the course of an hour of near-continuous drone documentation of disbudding at Agresti, no workers were seen giving anesthetics to the calves before they were disbudded.”.

Mary Temple Grandin, an industry expert, reviewed the footage in question and said that the calves’ reaction indicates pain medication was not applied before the procedure.

According to the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), calves are to be “.. restrained for dehorning in a way that minimizes stress and the risk of injury to the animal and the operator.”

Clearly, that was not at the case at Agresti as footage shows “...excessive rough handling of calves, including pulling with full body force on pliers in a calf’s nose, undoubtedly causing great pain as calves have highly sensitive noses.”

On February 27, 2026, an attorney with Direct Action Everywhere reported their findings to the Stanislaus County District Attorney, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, and Stanislaus County Animal Services.

According to Direct Action Everywhere, at the time their press release was issued, May 12, 2026, neither the DA’s Office nor the Sheriff’s Office had responded to their complaint.

Direct Action Everywhere noted that although Animal Services said: “We have coordinated with [the] appropriate organization to monitor what is happening at the location you provided”, they have shared no plans for any enforcement actions against the company, despite follow-up requests for any updates.

Following their exposé, Direct Action Everywhere stated they received a cease and desist letter from an attorney representing Agresti, threatening legal action if Direct Action Everywhere do not cease “eavesdropping on my client’s facilities.”

I have emailed the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office and Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse. If I receive a response I will post an update.

Meanwhile, according to Eventbrite, animal rights activists with Direct Action Everywhere plan to hold a peaceful vigil at Agresti Calf Ranch for the abused calves.

The vigil will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by Direct Action Everywhere. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

Photo from Direct Action Everywhere drone footage

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