How dairy heifers are raised before their first calving significantly affects their lifelong welfare, health, and productivity. Investments in heifer welfare pay dividends throughout productive life.
Dairy heifer welfare is an investment that pays long-term dividends in the health and welfare of the adult dairy herd. Heifers raised with positive handling experience, appropriate social housing, and good nutritional management develop into calmer, healthier cows with better welfare outcomes throughout their productive lives. Early-life welfare shapes lifetime welfare trajectories.