Farm Animals

Cattle Welfare: Youngstock Management

The welfare of young cattle, including calves and growing animals, sets the foundation for lifetime health and welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Colostrum management in the first 6 hours of life is the single most important welfare intervention for newborn calves
Painful procedures including dehorning and castration should be conducted under anaesthesia and analgesia
Social housing of calves improves cognitive development, reduces stress, and improves long-term productivity
Weaning stress in beef calves can be significantly reduced through fence-line contact and gradual separation

Welfare Considerations

Youngstock welfare has lifelong consequences for cattle health and productivity. Investments in early-life welfare including colostrum management, appropriate housing, and pain relief for procedures pay dividends throughout the animal's life and reduce the welfare burden from preventable conditions.

What You Can Do

Support cattle producers demonstrating good youngstock welfare management
Advocate for mandatory anaesthesia and analgesia for painful procedures in calves
Engage with research on early-life welfare interventions and their lifelong consequences