http://orgprints.org/9851/ Suckling systems in calf rearing in organic dairy farming in the Netherlands In an on-farm experiment three calf rearing methods were compared: bucket feeding of milk replacer, bucket feeding of tank milk and suckling of mother or nurse cow up to three months of age. Aim was to determine whether the technical results of suckling systems in calf rearing were satisfactory. Calves reared in a suckling system reached significantly higher liveweights at weaning (90 days). Although the average growth rate between weaning and the age of 1 year did not differ significantly, liveweight at 1 year did still differ significantly. Compared to both bucket fed rearing groups, suckling did not have a significant effect on Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of mothers. Suckling systems in calf rearing in organic dairy production show satisfactory technical results. Calves have the potential to grow fast and no negative effect of suckling on SCC or general animal health were observed. Wagenaar, J.P.T.M. Langhout, J. 1dairy 7animalhealth int_conf_2007qlif_4_animals eu_qlif_sub4 Suckling systems in calf rearing in organic dairy farming in the Netherlands 2007-03-11 Wagenaar, J.P.T.M. and Langhout, J. (2007) Suckling systems in calf rearing in organic dairy farming in the Netherlands. 3rd QLIF Congress: Improving Sustainability in Organic and Low Input Food Production Systems, University of Hohenheim, Germany, March 20-23, 2007. application/pdf