This collection features three peer-reviewed reviews on improving the welfare of heifers and calves.
The first chapter considers optimising reproductive management as a means of maximising dairy herd health and production. The chapter outlines the steps required to identify reproductive problems and limitations, as well as the emergence of monitoring technologies to detect changes to animal behaviour and patterns which can indicate the presence of disease.
The second chapter summarises recent research addressing behavioural needs of pre-weaned calves and post-weaned heifers, encompassing aspects of social interactions and feeding, rest and comfort, as well as opportunities for other behavioural expression. The chapter also discusses the consequences of restricting these behaviours, such as the development of abnormal oral behaviours.
The final chapter highlights the crucial role youngstock/calf management can play in optimising dairy herd health and welfare in the short-term and long-term. The chapter considers the impacts of calfhood nutritional management and calfhood diseases on subsequent dairy herd health, as well as the role of veterinarians in communicating best practice in youngstock management.
Chapter 1 - Optimising reproductive management to maximise dairy herd health and production: Norman B. Williamson, Massey University, New Zealand; 1 Introduction 2 Grouping animals to measure individual animal reproduction limits 3 Measuring reproductive performance 4 Production-related reproductive indices for pasture-based seasonally calving herds 5 Diagnostic reproductive indices for pasture-based seasonally calving herds 6 Production-related reproductive indices in year-round calving herds 7 Indices used to diagnose causes of inadequate herd reproduction 8 Monitoring bull breeding 9 Management of herd limits to reproduction: anoestrus 10 Clinical examination and treatment of anoestrous cows 11 Improving oestrus detection 12 Controlled breeding programmes for oestrus synchronisation 13 The role of nutrition in limiting and optimising reproduction 14 Managing abortion 15 Conclusion and future trends 16 Where to look for further information 17 References Chapter 2 - Advances in understanding behavioral needs and improving the welfare of calves and heifers: Emily Miller-Cushon, University of Florida, USA; and Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Addressing social needs 3 Addressing feeding needs 4 Addressing resting and environmental comfort needs 5 Addressing other behavioral needs 6 Common themes and developing areas of research 7 Conclusion 8 Where to look for further information 9 References Chapter 3 - Managing calves/young stock to optimise dairy herd health: John F. Mee, Teagasc, Ireland; 1 Introduction 2 Costs of heifer rearing 3 Targets for heifer rearing 4 Start of the dairy herd health lifecycle 5 Impacts of calfhood nutritional management on subsequent dairy herd health 6 Impacts of calfhood diseases on subsequent dairy herd health 7 Role of vet in communicating best practice in youngstock management 8 Conclusion and future trends 9 Where to look for further information 10 References
Jennifer Van Os is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare on the faculty of the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. The research in her lab at UW-Madison focuses on understanding, evaluating, and improving the welfare of dairy animals from a biological perspective.
