![]() ![]() Grondahl AM, Skancke EM, Mejdell CM et al (2007) Growth rate, health and welfare in a dairy herd with natural suckling until 6-8 weeks of age: a case report.Hulbert LE, Moisá SJ (2016) Stress, immunity, and the management of calves.Applied Animal Behaviour Science 113(1-3):1-14. Fröberg S, Gratte E, Svennersten-Sjaunja K et al (2008) Effect of suckling (‘restricted suckling’) on dairy cows’ udder health and milk let-down and their calves’ weight gain, feed intake and behaviour.Applied Animal Behaviour Science 70(4):275-284. Separation at 1 day and 2 weeks after birth. Flower FC & Weary DM (2001) Effects of early separation on the dairy cow and calf: 2.Dairy Australia (2011) Rearing Healthy Calves manual. ![]() Dairy Australia (n.d) Bovine Johnes Disease (BJD): Dairy farm guidelines for BJD control: Best practice recommendations for managing the risk of BJD in Australia dairy herds.Applied Animal Behaviour Science 187:1-7. Buchli C, Raselli A, Bruckmaier R et al (2017) Contact with cows during the young age increases social competence and lowers the cardiac stress reaction in dairy calves.Bergman MA, Richert RM, Cicconi-Hogan KM et al (2014) Comparison of 52 selected animal observations and management practices used to assess welfare of calves and adult dairy cows on organic and conventional dairy farms.Animal Health Australia (2016) Johne’s Disease spread and prevalence.Management strategies for avoiding any separation distress for both cow and calf as well as allowing more natural behaviour should be explored by the dairy industry. It appears that if calves are provided with an alternative source of milk while still with their dam – and therefore not nutritionally dependent on the dam – separation distress can also be reduced. If the calf is given adequate and good quality feed, as has been shown with beef cattle, this allows separation of the cow and calf after several days with little distress. To reduce separation distress, consideration could be given to a more gradual separation process whereby the calf is prevented from suckling but still has (some) physical contact with the dam. Health benefits for the dam resulting from suckling may include a reduction in the incidence of mastitis and in the incidence of fetal membrane retention. Calves reared by their dam (or with limited contact with their dam) may display less abnormal oral behaviours, more play behaviours and improved social behaviour (including appropriate submissive behaviours that are beneficial when the calf is introduced into a group) as well as gaining more weight and having better health, and lower mortality (depending on cleanliness of the immediate environment). On the other hand, calves reared by their mothers can continue suckling allowing them to drink more frequently and potentially also drink more milk than artificially-reared calves. The stress of separating mother and young may also be associated with changes in the immune system that affect calf health and susceptibility to disease. The longer calves stay with their dam, the stronger the cow-calf bond and the greater the response (including a negative affective state) at separation. Further effects on the dam of separation at a later age may include less lying and less ruminating. A similarly strong response in cows was found when separating the calf at 2 weeks of age compared to 1 day. 4 days after birth, compared to separation at 1 day or 6 hours after birth. ![]() Cows will show a strong response (calling) if their calf is separated at an older age, e.g. Separation within 24 hours of birth interferes with the development of the cow-calf bond and thus reduces separation distress. The distress associated with separation increases the longer the calf stays with their dam. Separation of the new-born calf from the dam is stressful for both cow and calf. Separation of the calf from the dam also occurs to facilitate milking and management of the cow. Bovine Johne’s Disease, a bacterial infection that is transmitted through calf contact with contaminated feces), to ensure adequate colostrum and feed intake, and to simplify disease detection. ![]() This is done to reduce the risk of disease transmission to the calf (e.g. Standard dairy industry practice is to separate calves within 24 hours of birth. For cows to produce milk, they have to give birth to a calf. ![]()
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