Assessing economic consequences of cow-calf contact systems in dairy production using a stochastic partial budgeting approach

Summary

One frequently stated reason for employing early separation of dairy cows and calves is that this strategy is considered to result in a higher amount of saleable milk, which in turn will increase farm profits. Cow-calf contact (CCC)-systems are any type of housing or management system allowing calves contact with their dam or with foster cows during early life. To investigate the economic consequences strategies allowing cow-calf contact (CCC) was compared with a generic scenario separating cows and calves immediately after birth. These scenarios were developed and analysed in Excel using at Risk. Feed consumption, morbidity and mortality differed between the strategies, but it was milk consumption that affected the farm's economy the most. Milk income decreased when the calves received a larger milk supply, which was the case in two of the strategies allowing full day contact. With restricted suckling, on the other hand, the calves consumed less whole milk per day, which was economically advantageous for the farm but may not be beneficial from an animal welfare perspective.