POSTER PRESENTATION: Cow-calf contact systems: effects on dairy cattle health and welfare

This exploratory observational study aims to investigate the effect of dam-rearing calf systems on the welfare and health of cows and calves. The second objective is to describe the perceptions of dairy producers toward the benefits and challenges of implementing cow-calf contact systems, and how this practice fits with the future of the dairy industry. Twelve farms practicing dam-calf rearing management will be visited 3 times: Spring, Summer, and Fall 2024; all cow-calf pairs with pre-weaned calves will be assessed. At each visit, all cow-calf pairs currently kept together will be scored for body condition score (BCS), hygiene, diarrhea, respiratory disease, and lameness. Milk samples will be collected from cows with their calves and ≥ 30 d after calving. Milk analysis includes non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), somatic sell count (SCC), fat (%), protein (%), lactose (%), and a fatty acids profile. Descriptive results are presented from Spring farm visits (n = 10 farms, n = 102 cow-calf pairs). No cows showed an emaciated state (BCS < 2) and 79% of the cows were scored between 2.5 and 3.5 suggesting good energetical nutritional status. Majority of the calves had normal scores for respiratory disease signs (93 % for nasal, 88% for ear, and 92% for eye scores). Milk analysis revealed an average of 2.48% fat, 3.19 % of protein, and 25% of cows had SCC below the limit of 400 x 1000 cells/mL. 30 % of the cows had NEFA superior to 0.4 mmol/L and no cows had BHB superior to 1.2 mmol/L suggesting a good energy balance. These first results indicate good health for cows and calves when raised together but cow-calf contact appears to influence milk composition.