How dairy calves are fed milk in their first weeks of life has significant welfare implications.
Calf milk feeding welfare has been transformed by research showing that restricted milk feeding — historically standard practice to make calves transition quickly to solid feed — causes chronic hunger and stress. Calves fed ad libitum or at higher rates show better welfare outcomes, less abnormal behaviour, and better growth. Automatic group feeders make ad libitum milk feeding economically feasible at commercial scale. The welfare improvement is clear, economically justified, and achievable with current technology.