Project description
Successful milk production with cow-linked calf husbandry
In conventional dairy farming, calves are usually separated from their mothers immediately after birth and fed via buckets or automatic feeders. Consumers and practitioners are increasingly expressing a desire for more animal-friendly forms of husbandry. Some farms in Schleswig-Holstein, especially organic farms, are therefore deliberately not separating cows and calves at an early stage.
The primary aim of the project was to develop a guide to cow-calf husbandry that supports interested farms both in the introduction and further development of the method.
If the farmer is planning to convert his calf rearing to cow-based rearing, he should first assess the status quo of herd health. It is also advisable to try out the procedure with a small number of animals to gain experience.
The guidelines as well as a detailed final report and a practice sheet can be read below. Further information can also be found on the homepage: https://www.kuhgebundene-kaelberaufzucht.de/.
