Operation Butterfield Dairy – ARM Investigations

operation butterfield dairy image banner v2

In September, 2024, Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) launched a second investigation at Butterfield Dairy outside of Phoenix, Arizona, after undercover operatives at the nearby Rainbow Valley Dairy observed newborn calves being forcibly separated from their mothers, mishandled, and inhumanely loaded onto transport trucks.

Both dairies are owned by the De Jong family, prominent dairy producers, and suppliers for Coca-Cola’s fairlife milk brand. The De Jong’s have a documented history of animal abuse, having been implicated in similar acts during ARM’s 2019 four-part viral expose at their Texas organic facility, Natural Prairie Farms.

About Butterfield Dairy:
Butterfield Dairy operates as a mega-dairy, housing over 25,000 milking cows. It serves as a calf-growing facility for the region, receiving thousands of calves from Rainbow Valley Dairy, Valkyrie, and other De Jong dairy farms.

During a three-month covert operation, ARM operatives were hired to work in the calf housing area, documenting widespread mistreatment by employees and managers.

Key findings included, but are not limited to:

Violent Handling of Calves – Newborns were aggressively grabbed, thrown into wooden crates, and dragged by their ears, tails, or legs, causing broken bones, head trauma, and internal injuries.
Inhumane and Illegal Veal Crate Housing – Confined in tiny, dangerous wooden crates for over five months, calves were immobilized and suffered from broken limbs, infected wounds, and severe distress.
Severe Neglect – Calves were left trapped in hazardous enclosures for days, suffering from bed sores, infections, and life-threatening injuries.
Extreme Heat Exposure & Lack of Care – In temperatures exceeding 135°F and left unprotected from harsh direct sun with inadequate shade, the young animals suffered from dehydration, were routinely denied veterinary care, and died as a result.
Abuse & Force-Feeding – Workers punched, kicked, and whipped calves, while management ignored the brutality. Force-feeding led to severe trauma and death.
Unethical Disposal of Carcasses – Dead calves were abandoned on-site, scavenged by animals, or sent to a methane plant for fuel processing.

Consumer Deception & Industry Accountability
Since ARM’s Fair Oaks Farms investigation (2019), Coca-Cola has invested $40 million in animal welfare reforms. However, ARM’s 2024 reveal that cruelty runs rampant at fairlife-supplying operations, directly contradicting the brand’s public claims of ethical sourcing from cruelty-free dairies, as stated on their website. (link to web page)

ARM remains dedicated to exposing systemic mistreatment within the dairy industry, advocating for criminal charges against those responsible, and demanding accountability from Coca-Cola for enabling continued violations of animal welfare standards.

On February 26, 2025, ARM released its Operation Fairlife Arizona findings to the public, enforcement agencies, and Coca-Cola. Updates on the case will continue as developments unfold.

Update:

The Maricopa Sheriff’s Office and the USDA are currently conducting their own investigations for arrests and accountability.

Fairlife has stated it has cut ties with the Rainbow Valley and Butterfield Dairy, however ARM will monitor this to ensure this continues.

A civil action lawsuit has been filed against fairlife, Click to view.

We will update this page once this investigation develops and arrests are made.

Read the detailed report.

Take the pledge to hold Coca-Cola’s fairlife brand accountable.

READ THE FULL REPORT PRESS RELEASE CALLS TO ACTION

Undercover Footage

Operation Photos

Media