The weaning and separation period is a key difficulty in cow-calf-contact systems, since there is no scientifically proven progressive method that mirrors the naturally occurring drop in milk consumption. The purpose of this research was to assess behavioral and physiological indications of distress in dam-reared dairy calves who had been weaned and separated utilizing either progressive decrease of contact time with the dam (GR) or two-step weaning with a nose flap (NF). Behavior was recorded one week before weaning began and throughout the three-week weaning and separation phase. Blood and fecal samples were collected twice a week from the commencement of weaning until three weeks later. Calves were weighed regularly. The statistical analysis was carried out utilizing generalized linear mixed models. The results revealed that NF calves had a greater reduction in the number of lying bouts, quantity of locomotor play, average daily weight increases, and a larger increase in total mixed ration feeding time than GR calves. GR calves vocalized more often and searched more actively than NF calves. The neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio of NF calves increased on day 3 following nasal flap implantation relative to baseline, but did not alter for GR calves on any sample day. Overall, the findings suggest that a delayed weaning technique may reduce weaning and separation discomfort in dam-reared dairy calves.
A progressive weaning and separation strategy is a viable option for cow-calf contact systems because it mimics the natural drop in milk consumption during weaning. This strategy may assist calves adjust to separation times and boost their intake of solid feed, facilitating the transition to weaning. A research evaluating the behavioral and physiological distress reactions of dam-reared dairy calves during weaning and separation found that gradually reducing contact time between dam and calf was more beneficial than weaning with a nose flap. This strategy resulted in improved nutritional adaptation, more weight growth, and less declines in lying bouts and locomotor play levels. An increase in inflammatory blood markers was seen in response to nose-flap weaning but not progressive weaning. The research suggests that a progressive weaning approach is a potential way for weaning and separating dam-reared dairy calves, although it needs additional development. It is crucial to highlight that this guideline is based on the effects on calves and must be proven for the effects on dams.
