Comparing Cow-Calf Contact Systems

Maja Bertelsen

Comparing Cow-Calf Contact Systems

Maja Bertelsen

Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences - ANIVET Behaviour, stress and welfare (BSW)

Research output: Types of Thesis › PhD thesis

Abstract

The separation of the dairy cow and her calf within hours of birth is a common management practice, criticised from an animal welfare perspective. Cow-calf contact systems are an interesting alternative which can be organised in different ways depending on the farmer's prioritisation of practical, economical, ethical and image-related considerations. Half-day contact between the cow and her calf reduces the amount of positive social interaction compared to whole-day contact, without substantially improving the weaning and separation. Using a fence-line weaning approach does however improve the weaning and separation of dam-reared calves.

Original language	English
Publisher	Århus Universitet
Publication status	Published - May 2023

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Cite this

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abstract = "The separation of the dairy cow and her calf within hours of birth is a common management practice, criticised from an animal welfare perspective. Cow-calf contact systems are an interesting alternative which can be organised in different ways depending on the farmer's prioritisation of practical, economical, ethical and image-related considerations. Half-day contact between the cow and her calf reduces the amount of positive social interaction compared to whole-day contact, without substantially improving the weaning and separation. Using a fence-line weaning approach does however improve the weaning and separation of dam-reared calves.",

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AB - The separation of the dairy cow and her calf within hours of birth is a common management practice, criticised from an animal welfare perspective. Cow-calf contact systems are an interesting alternative which can be organised in different ways depending on the farmer's prioritisation of practical, economical, ethical and image-related considerations. Half-day contact between the cow and her calf reduces the amount of positive social interaction compared to whole-day contact, without substantially improving the weaning and separation. Using a fence-line weaning approach does however improve the weaning and separation of dam-reared calves.

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KW - cow-calf separation

M3 - PhD thesis

PB - Århus Universitet

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