Understanding cattle social behaviour enables management decisions that minimise social stress and support positive welfare states across dairy and beef herds.
Cattle social stress is often invisible to casual observation but measurable through cortisol and behavioural indicators. Dominance hierarchies create differential resource access that harms subordinate individuals. Frequent regrouping prevents stable relationship formation. Adequate space, multiple feed and water points, and stable group composition reduce social welfare costs. Positive human-animal relationship moderates the stress of necessary management procedures. Understanding cattle social behaviour enables management changes that significantly improve welfare without major infrastructure investment.