State-of- the-Art Dam Rearing of Calves – a sector-wide assessment of scientific and practical knowledge on dam-rearing systems in The Netherlands

Cynthia Verwer, Lidwien Daniels. 2019. State-of- the-Art Dam Rearing of Calves – a sector-wide assessment of scientific and practical knowledge on dam-rearing systems in The Netherlands. Louis Bolk Instituut, Bunnik.
Pagina's / pages: 1
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Taal/language: Engels
Abstract / summary in English:

Among society and farmers the practice of mother-bonded or fostered calf rearing is attracting growing interest. Farmers seek to extend the period in which dams or foster cows can spend time with a calf, providing both an opportunity to perform their natural (maternal) behaviour. This type of dairy farming requires knowledge of the natural behaviour of the animals, and needs an assesment of the essential aspects of, among others, animal husbandry, housing, feeding and human-animal interaction in relation to this natural behaviour, whilst still producing milk.

Keywords in English: mother-bonded rearing, fostered calf rearing, dairy cows, calves, On-farm calf rearing practices