Cow-calf Separation Research Articles

The effect of restricted suckling and non-suckling systems on dairy cow and calf behaviour

Artificial rearing necessitates stressful cow-calf separation (Lefcourt and Elsasser, 1995; Hopster et al, 1995) and precipitates cross-suckling (Lidfors, 1993). Thus, suckling systems may improve the welfare of cows and calves, by alleviating 'stressful' cows-calf separation and satiating suckling motivation. The aim of this experiment was to compare behaviour in cows and calves in restricted suckling and non-suckling systems.Thirty six multiparous dairy cows and calves were divided at 4 days postpartum into three groups. The treatment groups were; non-suckled (NS) cows with calves artificially reared (AR), cows suckled by their own calf (RSM) and cows suckled by a foster calf (RSF). Suckling took place for 15 minutes following mechanical milking only.

The effect of restricted suckling and non-suckling systems on dairy cow and calf behaviour

Artificial rearing necessitates stressful cow-calf separation (Lefcourt and Elsasser, 1995; Hopster et al, 1995) and precipitates cross-suckling (Lidfors, 1993). Thus, suckling systems may improve the welfare of cows and calves, by alleviating 'stressful' cows-calf separation and satiating suckling motivation. The aim of this experiment was to compare behaviour in cows and calves in restricted suckling and non-suckling systems.Thirty six multiparous dairy cows and calves were divided at 4 days postpartum into three groups. The treatment groups were; non-suckled (NS) cows with calves artificially reared (AR), cows suckled by their own calf (RSM) and cows suckled by a foster calf (RSF). Suckling took place for 15 minutes following mechanical milking only.

Acute effects of cow-calf separation on heart rate, plasma cortisol and behaviour in multiparous dairy cows

Removing the calf after bonding may induce acute stress in the dairy cow. We examined the responses of dairy cows immediately after the removal of their calves. Eight dairy cows were successively separated from their calves on the third day post-partum and heart rate and behaviour of the cows were recorded. In addition, the cows were blood sampled before and after the separation for cortisol analysis. After separation, cows vocalised initially and moved to the feeding rack but started feeding shortly after that. Heart rate effects were restricted to the first minutes after separation and cortisol effects were not found. We conclude that multiparous dairy cows respond only mildly immediately after their calves have been removed. Feasible explanations for the observed mild response are discussed.

Application of polytomous logistic regression in veterinary epidemiology

This paper outlines the history and development of research in the area of animal welfare as reflected in the 100 yr that the Journal of Dairy Science has been published. The first paper using the term “animal welfare” was published in 1983; since then (to May 2017), 244 papers that reflect growing interest regarding how farm animals are cared for have been published. Much of the scientific work to date has focused on issues related to cow health, such as lameness, and methodologically many papers use behavioral measures. In addition to this science-based research, the journal has taken on the role of publishing work of social scientists that addresses the role of the human factors relating to animal welfare, including research on citizen, consumer, and farmer attitudes toward welfare issues. We call for further research focused on societal perspectives and for new biological research focused on developing issues, such as cow–calf separation and pasture access.

The effect of cow-calf separation on the maternal behaviour of the Cow (Bos taurus)

The effect of cow-calf separation on the maternal behaviour of the Cow (Bos taurus)