Investigating cow−calf contact in cow-driven systems: behaviour of the dairy cow and calf

Abstract

Research is needed on how technology can facilitate cow−calf contact (CCC). This research communication describes the behaviour of dairy cow−calf pairs in two cow-driven CCC-systems differing in cows' access to the calves through computer-controlled access gates (smart gates, SG). Specifically, cow traffic through SG when visiting their calves, allogrooming, suckling and cross-suckling, cows' eating and resting behaviour and finally vocal response to separation were assessed. After 3 d in an individual calving pen, pairs (n = 8) were moved to the CCC compartment with a cow area, a calf creep and a meeting area. During the next 31 d calves could suckle the cows whenever they visited the meeting area (suckling phase). Cows had free (group 1, n = 4 pairs) or restricted access to the calves based on previous activity in the automatic milking system (group 2, n = 4 pairs). SG's controlled cow traffic between the meeting area and the cow area, in which the cows could access resources such as feed, cubicles, and the automatic milking system. Following the suckling phase cow access into the meeting area was gradually decreased over 9 d (separation phase). During the suckling phase, cows paid frequent and short visits to their calves. Pairs spent in total approximately one h/d suckling and allogrooming. However, the duration and frequencies of these events varied among pairs and groups, as did the vocal response to separation. Restricted access − cows performed more (unrewarded) attempts to visit the calves who cross-suckled more. Collectively, free access to the calves may have been more intuitive and welfare friendly. Although a low sample size limits interpretation beyond description and enabling hypothesis formulation for future research, the results indicate that the cow is motivated to visit her calf, albeit through a SG, thus facilitating particular behaviours for which cow-calf pairs are highly motivated.

Dairy farmers' perspectives on providing cow-calf contact in the pasture-based systems of New Zealand

“…Some research has shown that modern dairy breeds express maternal behaviors toward the newborn calf, including sniffing, licking, and nursing of the calf, especially in the first hours after birth (Jensen, 2011(Jensen, , 2012. However, there is natural individual variation in mothering quality (Edwards and Broom, 1982) and how frequently the cow chooses to visit the calf through an access gate for suckling and allogrooming (Johnsen et al, 2021). It is also possible that some cows may reject their own calf; one study of heifers calving in groups observed 1 of 31 (13%) heifers rejected its calf within 6 h after birth (Illmann and Špinka, 1993).…”

Dairy cow and calf behavior and productivity when maintained together on a pasture-based system

“…Although previous work has assessed the impact of permanent cow-calf separation on cow and calf distress responses [10515], cow-calf rearing systems also require periods of temporary separation, for example when cows go to the milking parlor. Research on temporary separation is limited [16][17] and has focused on motivation and reuniting cows and calves instead of the process of separation. Thus, there is need for work investigating the impact of short-term separation given cows are milked on average twice daily and the potential for a smooth transition to permanent seperation.…”

Animal welfare research – progress to date and future prospects

“…The dairy industry and the public are increasingly interested in management systems that allow cow−calf contact (Sirovnik et al, 2020). The cow is highly motivated to visit her calf (Johnsen et al, 2021), indeed will push up to 90 kg to access it (Wenker et al, 2020). There is currently no evidence to indicate early separation is beneficial to cow health (Beaver et al, 2019).…”