Male dairy calves are considered a by-product of the dairy industry. Improving their welfare from birth through to slaughter or rearing is a major welfare opportunity.
Bull calves from high-yielding dairy breeds have poor feed conversion for beef production, creating an economic disincentive to rear them. The welfare of reared bull calves depends enormously on housing conditions: veal crates are banned in the UK but tethering restrictions vary internationally. Indoor housing with solid feed provision, adequate space and social contact enables good welfare. Linking dairy and beef supply chains so bull calves enter high-welfare beef programmes is the optimal solution.