Performance and Behavioural Effects of Separating Dairy Cows and Their Calves at Birth

  • Michael Steele Inspire Cattle Solutions, 10 Granborough Road, Winslow, Buckinghamshire. MK18 3BP

Published:

2019-07-19

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v4i3.241

Abstract

PICO question

In Dairy Cows and Calves separated at birth vs. suckled with the mother, are there any behavioural and performance effects on both cow and/or calf?

Clinical bottom line

Calves allowed to suckle from their mothers show stronger behavioural bonds at weaning and appear to gain more weight (at weaning) than separated and automatically fed calves. However, due to the milk yield loss and subsequent favourable weight gains after weaning from ad lib suckling, automatically fed groups make separation at birth a preferable economic decision.


Open Access Peer Reviewed

Author Biography

Michael Steele, Inspire Cattle Solutions, 10 Granborough Road, Winslow, Buckinghamshire. MK18 3BP

Director and Global Dairy Consultant

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Vol. 4 No. 3 (2019): The third issue of 2019

Section: Knowledge Summaries

Categories :  Small Animal  /  Dogs  /  Cats  /  Rabbits  /  Production Animal  /  Cattle  /  Sheep  /  Pig  /  Equine  /  Exotics  /