The welfare of dairy heifers during the rearing period from weaning to first calving has long-term consequences for productivity, health and welfare throughout adult life.
The rearing period is often viewed through a purely economic lens, but welfare investments during this stage compound into lifelong benefits. Social deprivation, inadequate space, poor nutrition and lack of environmental enrichment during rearing create animals with impaired coping abilities and elevated stress reactivity. The transition through puberty, first service and first calving are all high-welfare-risk periods requiring careful monitoring and management.