Cow protection means protection from physical exploitation, healthcare, establishing proper breeding policies suitable for the local situation, utilizing the products of cows and bulls such as milk and its byproducts, cow dung and cow urine and providing engagement for bulls/Oxen.
Vedic culture is based on cow culture and cow economy as well.
Cows are the dearest entities to lord Krishna so much so, that according to the Vedic scriptures in prioritizing the welfare, the welfare of cows comes first even before the welfare of Brahmanas or welfare of the whole world. Thus, unless cows are kept happy no matter whatever arrangements may be made in the society there will be no prosperity that can give real peace.
Externally, the modern world may seem to be progressing but the facts of increased crimes, stress and unrest is because of the extreme neglect and dauntless violence caused to the cows. Thus ‘Cow Protection’ stands out to be the most important of all efforts in reestablishing Daiva Varnasrama dharma.
The Srimad-Bhagavatam describes that people in the society can develop focus on God realization (which is the very purpose human life), only when proper brahminical culture is established and brahminical culture can be efficient in guiding the society only when cows are kept always happy.
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