Milk feeding management in dairy calves significantly affects their welfare, health and long-term productivity, yet many standard practices compromise calf wellbeing.
Calves fed at conventional restricted milk allowances experience chronic hunger — a clear welfare deficit. They perform more cross-sucking on pen-mates, show more competitive behaviour at feeders, and have higher stress indicators. Research consistently shows that higher milk allowances improve calf welfare and growth without negative long-term effects. Dam-rearing systems provide the highest welfare outcome but conflict with current dairy production models. Welfare improvement is achievable within commercial systems through higher milk allowances and gradual weaning.