The welfare challenges faced by calves in the dairy industry and the growing movement toward more humane calf management.
The mother-calf bond is strong in cattle, with both parties vocalizing distress for days after separation. Conventionally reared calves are fed milk replacer and have no social bond with their mothers. This system creates significant welfare deficits for calves denied natural suckling behavior, colostrum timing challenges, and the social learning that comes from maternal presence. Extended suckling systems demonstrate that dairy production and better calf welfare are not incompatible.