Practical implications of increasing ‘natural living’ through suckling systems in organic dairy calf rearing

Abstract

The introduction of suckling systems in organic dairy calf rearing has the potential to enhance animal
welfare in terms of ‘natural living’ and to live up to consumers’ expectations about organic agriculture.
This study describes the implications of suckling systems in a practical organic dairy context. Results
show that farmers can successfully develop and implement a suckling system in calf rearing. The consumption of mothers’ milk resulted in high weaning weights at 3 months of age. No immediate animal
health problems linked to suckling systems occurred. Compared with traditional bucket feeding of milk,
suckling systems resulted in increased natural behaviour such as calff–cow bonding, natural sucking
behaviour and care-taking behaviour. Some farmers had difficulties accepting negative implications of
suckling systems such as stress after weaning and loss of marketable milk. Although suckling of the
own mother was seen as the most natural suckling system, farmers adapted their suckling system to
calves suckling nurse cows. In order to implement successfully a suckling system, farmers have to step
back from control and give calf and cow a chance. In the case of increasing ‘natural living’ through
implementation of a suckling system, farmers should be encouraged to take enough time to accomplish
this attitude change.