home    about    browse    search    latest    help 
Login | Create Account

Suckling systems in calf rearing in organic dairy farming in the Netherlands

Wagenaar, J.P.T.M. and Langhout, J. (2007) Suckling systems in calf rearing in organic dairy farming in the Netherlands. Paper at: 3rd QLIF Congress: Improving Sustainability in Organic and Low Input Food Production Systems, University of Hohenheim, Germany, March 20-23, 2007.

[thumbnail of wagenaar-langhout-2007-suckling-systems.pdf] PDF - German/Deutsch
213kB


Summary

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.


EPrint Type:Conference paper, poster, etc.
Type of presentation:Paper
Keywords:calf rearing, suckling system, mastitis, natural behaviour, weaning, liveweight, milk quality
Subjects: Animal husbandry > Production systems > Dairy cattle
Animal husbandry > Health and welfare
Research affiliation: International Conferences > 2007: 3rd QLIF Congress > 4 Livestock production
European Union > QualityLowInputFood > Subproject 4: Livestock production systems
Related Links:http://orgprints.org/10417/
Deposited By: Wagenaar, Ir J.P.
ID Code:9851
Deposited On:11 Mar 2007
Last Modified:12 Apr 2010 07:34
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Not peer-reviewed
Additional Publishing Information: The final version of this paper is published in:
Niggli, Urs; Leifert, Carlo; Alföldi, Thomas; Lück, Lorna and Willer, Helga, Eds. (2007) Improving Sustainability in Organic and Low Input Food Production Systems. Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress of the European Integrated Project Quality Low Input Food (QLIF). University of Hohenheim, Germany, March 20 – 23, 2007. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, CH-Frick.http://orgprints.org/10417/
Printed copies may be ordered from the FiBL Shop at www.shop.fibl.org.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics