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MAT-SLF-Matprogr.:Prosj.fullfin.av SLF

Developing robust and economically viable models for cow-calf suckling in organic dairy systems, fulfilling high standards for animal health

Awarded: NOK 9.8 mill.

The project had two main objectives. One was to identify practical and profitable methods of natural milk feeding of calves in organic dairy production. Emphasis was placed on systems where the cow and the calf are kept together beyond the colostrum period, as well as improved methods for separation of cow and calf (Ph.D. thesis defended April 15th 2015). The other main goal was to investigate consumer attitudes and willingness to pay for products produced with particularly good animal welfare (Ph.D. thesis defended Oct. 17th 2014). Background data was collected from 432 organic farmers in Norway and Sweden (questionnaire) and 18 farms in Norway and the Netherlands were visited, providing a basis for the planning of relevant controlled trials. Two methods for separating calf and cow were compared after a nursing period of 4 days, 3 weeks and 6-8 weeks, respectively. Results indicate that allowing physical contact during and after separation alleviates stress reaction. The Dutch project partner compared weaning before separation by inserting a nose flap which prevents suckling, with that of gradual or abrupt weaning and separation, after 10 weeks of nursing. Abrupt weaning/separation caused by far the most stress response while the nose flap was rated as the best method. Trials were carried out in Canada to study the importance of nursing on the bond between the cow and her calf. Cows and calves were kept together at night and separately during daytime. Some calves suckled the dam, others only got milk from an automated milk feeder (the dam had an udder net), and some calves had both opportunities. The results show that cow and calf developed a strong bond even without nursing. Calves from all groups managed well through separation and weaning, but calves which used the milk feeder before separation had the highest daily weight gain. Previous research has shown that the uptake of antibodies from colostrum, which is essential for good calf health, varies widely and that nursing is a risk factor. 150 calves (blood samples) and their dams (colostrum) were sampled. Information on supervision and any interventions made to ensure uptake of colostrum was obtained in each case. Low levels of antibodies in serum (FPT) occurred in 31% of the calves, which corresponds to the proportion found among conventionally reared Norwegian calves. Colostrum quality was the most crucial factor determining the calf antibody level. As many as 77% of the colostrum samples had a content of antibodies below the limit value set for good quality. The findings confirm that focus on colostrum quality and colostrum uptake is very important also in suckling systems. It is a widespread practice to feed calves no more than 2 litres of milk per meal, thrice daily. However, 6 litres per day is shown to be too little for young calves. The practice follows a common belief that larger portions will result in milk entering the rumen and cause digestive problems. Using diagnostic imaging we tested the capacity of the abomasum (stomach) in 3-4 weeks old calves. The abomasum proved to be highly elastic, and calves, drinking from teat bottles until satiety, consumed 4-6 liters in one meal without trace of milk found in the rumen. The results show that the portion size can safely be increased to allow feeding more milk to calves, and this has already been implemented into practical advice. To assess consumer willingness to pay for food produced with particularly good animal welfare new methods for naturalistic field experiments were employed. At an haute cuisine restaurant the description of a course of organic veal was manipulated and the price was varied relative to the other main courses in the menu. Changes in demand were recorded. The results showed that the term "organic" did not affect sales, whereas describing the animal welfare in more detail did have a slight positive effect. When the price was lower than the other main dishes, or much higher, sales went down. Another realistic consumer study about the effect of welfare labeling was completed in stores, with eggs as the "case." It was found that negative labeling ("eggs from hens in battery cages", which Rema 1000 introduced) resulted in a 27% drop in sales, while positive labeling ("good animal welfare" on packages of organic eggs) did not affect sales. Also, a web-based survey was conducted to identify how consumers emphasize the method of calf rearing (i.e. no information given, "organic" or "pasture reared") relative to price and country of origin when buying ground veal at the store. Country of origin clearly had the greatest impact. The Dutch project partner conducted a "stakeholder" analysis of market opportunities for dairy products from farms with dam rearing, concluding that the potential for local sale is most realistic. A model testing the effect of nursing on farm economy concluded that nursing during some weeks may pay off under certain circumstances.

Subgoal I. a) An inventory will be performed of how organic farmers in Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands manage calf rearing (0-12 weeks) in particular cow-calf suckling. The aim is to survey weaknesses and strengths in systems developed by farmers, and describe how problems have been solved in practice, and to document farmer experience and knowledge, to study how they have solved problems and examine how methods can be refined. b) An economic evaluation of the surveyed farms will be performed. Subgoal II: The principles and underlying philosophy of organic farming will be analyzed with special reference to the organic understanding of animal welfare and ethics and concepts like naturalness and natural animal behaviour. Subgoal III: Consumer expectati ons and perceptions will be studied, of organic farming and organic products; animal welfare and ethics in general and calf rearing. Farmer perceptions of some of the same issues will also be studied, and compared to consumer expectations. Based on consum er preferences in Norway and the Netherlands, opportunities will be evaluated of developing a market e.g. for "welfare superior" organic calf meat from suckling systems. Subgoal IV and V: Health and welfare effects on individual and herd level will be ev aluated, including cow and calf welfare, calf growth, cow and calf health. Experimental pilot study: Based on experiences gained from the field study and the literature, a pilot study is planned to test separation practices which seemingly are less stres sful to cow and calf, and effects on health and behaviour. This will be done in a controlled study. Examples of what may be interesting to study: 2-step separation at weaning with visual and tactile contact; Weaning at grazing; Effects of suckling on cow health. The design of the experimental study depends on the results from the field study. Two PhD fellowships are planned.

Publications from Cristin

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MAT-SLF-Matprogr.:Prosj.fullfin.av SLF