Effect of debonding on stress indicators in cows and calves in a cow-calf contact system.

Premature separation, entailing a mixture of stressful events, follows a period of cow-calf contact in dairy production. We hypothesized that timing and length of debonding (i.e.

Comparing the effects of contact duration on cow and calf performance beyond separation - a prospective cohort study.

Background: Consumers, the industry, and many farmers have shown increased interest in alternative management systems that allow for cow-calf contact (CCC) and this topic has become an important focus of research for a sustainable dairy industry. Among the many knowledge gaps still existing in this novel research field, there is a need for further research to investigate effects of CCC beyond the nursing period (i.e.

Calf performance in a cow-driven cow-calf contact system: Effect of 2 methods to gradually reduce cows' access to their calf.

Knowledge is lacking on separation strategies that can best prepare calves to final separation from the dam in cow-calf contact (CCC) systems. This controlled trial compared the effects of 2 different methods to gradually reduce cows' access to their calf termed "debonding" on calf growth in a cow-driven CCC system. Initially, cows (Norwegian Red breed) had 24 h/d computer-controlled access to their calves.

Effects of 2 gradual debonding strategies on machine milk yield, flow, and composition in a cow-driven cow-calf contact system.

This controlled study compared the effects of 2 different gradual debonding strategies on machine milk yield, flow, and composition in a cow-driven cow-calf contact (CCC) system with automatic milking. Cows had 24 h/d access to their calves during the first weeks of lactation. In the long debonding (LDB) treatment (n = 16), a gradual reduction of cows' access to their calves was initiated 4 wk after calving over a total period of 28 d; first to 12 h/d (14 d), and then to 6 h/d (14 d).

Effect of light intensity, spectrum, and uniformity on the ability of dairy cows to navigate through an obstacle course.

The most suitable light intensity for cows during nighttime has not been thoroughly investigated. Recommendations on the night-time lighting regimen on dairy farms differ between countries and range from light throughout the night to darkness to allow the animals a rest from artificial light. Commercial actors recommend red light for night-time lighting in cattle barns to facilitate livestock supervision with minimum disturbance for the animals.