Dairy cows form strong social bonds with preferred herd-mates. Disrupting these bonds through regrouping and culling causes welfare-relevant stress that good management can reduce.
Dairy cow social welfare is increasingly recognised as a significant dimension of herd management. The welfare cost of frequent regrouping is real and measurable in both behavioural and physiological indicators, as well as in production impacts. Practical farm management that minimises unnecessary regrouping, maintains stable social groups where possible, and allows bonded cows to remain together during moves represents welfare improvement achievable within current farming systems. Stockperson training in low-stress handling significantly reduces the welfare impact of necessary regrouping and other management interventions.