The first 24 hours of a calf's life are critical for immunity, bonding, and welfare. Management of this period significantly influences lifetime health and welfare outcomes.
Neonatal calf welfare is determined by the quality of management in the first hours and days of life. FPT causes immune deficiency that compromises lifetime health. The dam-calf bond formed at birth causes significant distress to both when disrupted - research shows this is acute and prolonged. Extended suckling systems that allow longer dam-calf contact improve calf welfare and immunity while managing eventual separation more humanely.