The first hours and days of a dairy calf's life are critical for welfare outcomes, and management practices at this stage have lasting effects on health, behaviour, and productivity.
Early cow-calf separation is one of the most welfare-significant practices in dairy farming: the bond formed at birth is disrupted, causing evident distress in both cow and calf. Research shows that calves allowed extended contact with mothers have better immune function, bolder temperament, and higher milk intake. Dam-rearing systems are gaining commercial traction in some markets, demonstrating that consumer willingness to pay can drive welfare improvement even in practices considered industrially fundamental.