Cows kept indoors

This is the same system used in America and Argentina ,only on a much smaller scale .  

Same system used on a farm/vineyard we visited in France 3  years ago. Barn was opensided so they could look out and see the fields. All milking was done by robots

Not good at all, later in the programme it showed a farmer transporting his cows to a higher field, when let out the trailer they ran, kicked their legs, grazed and ran again. I would say they were much happier with their lot than those cooped up 24 a day, it's just not natural. 

Lets see if Goldie picks up this thread for her take on the subject as they run a dairy herd

Yes, remembering we are talking of the animals wellbeing not the economics of it.

It reminded me of battery hens, only battery cows 

Many chickens nowadays are kept in sheds but have the option to go outside if they wish, surely it would be possible to do something similar for cows. Personally we like to see them in the fields

I saw that too, I'm sure the cows would much prefer to be outside eating fresh grass, laying down on nice gsoft rass in the fresh air. I know I would rather they be outside not in doors, they are animals not machines.

The lives of some dairy cows is comparable to that of battery chickens. The conditions and lives some of these animals lead, in this, a supposed civilised and caring country, borders on obscene. Kept constantly in calf, they are nothing more than walking milk production units. And the Animal Welfare Act is about to be repealed. Money and greed, hearts of stone. 

i hate the thought of it, livestock should be in the fields!  Cows have 4 legs let them use them!  Profit IMO isn't a justification for this method of farming.  

Didnt see countryfile as out in van