Freedom from Fear and Distress for Calves and their Mothers in the Dairy Industry

Introduction

Stress within the dairy industry affects a significant number of animals. In 2015, 4.28 million dairy cows were located in Germany. In the US, one in 10 dairy heifers dies before weaning (Hulbert and Moisa, 2016: 3199).

To order to give milk, cows need to give birth to a calf at least once a year (Hulbert and Moisa, 2016: 3199). Their gestation period is similar to humans, lasting an average of nine months. Cows are typically artificially inseminated again two to three weeks after giving birth (Grotrian, 2016: 23), and may have between three and five calves in a lifetime.

Dairy cows are routinely separated from their calves, frustrating their natural maternal instincts.

This essay will describe factors which are causing problems within the cow population, focusing on difficulties suffered by calves and their mothers, as this relationship is such an integral part of the dairy industry. Is there evidence, that the treatment of mother and calf is causing distress in the animals?

Definition

This essay will use Moberg’s definitions of stressand distress(2000: 2). Moberg describes stressas ‘the biological response elicited when an individual perceives a threat ('stressor') to its homeostasis’ and distressas stress responses that truly threaten an individual's well-being.

Separation – Mothers

To continually produce high volumes of milk, a cow must give birth to a calf every 13 months (Fig. 1) (House, 2011). Farms usually separate calves from their mothers after about 24-72 hours.

In nature, cows are adapted to long periods of separation as calves often hide while their mothers are feeding. Drawing attention due to conspicuous behavior might attract predators to the calf (Flower and Weary, 2003). However, distress occurs if the separation lasts longer than 12-24 hours, the longest time a cow would naturally wait before returning to her calf for suckling (Marchant-Forde et al., 2002). Studies observed unusual animal behavior which could last for days when separation periods were too long (Flower and Weary, 2003; von Keyserlingk and Weary, 2007; Stehulouá et al., 2008). Mothers sometimes searched for their calves for an entire day and night, regularly returning to the place the calf was last seen. In some instances, cows escaped and traveled long distances to other farms to locate their calves (Joy, 2010).

Several studies have shown a correlation between distress levels and the amount of time mother and calf had previously spent together. The bond between cow and calf becomes stronger over time, so the longer the two stay together, the higher the level of distress upon separation. While all studies reported immediate distress responses, there were apparent differences between distress levels when mother and calf were separated immediately after birth, after six hours, after one day, after four days or after six days. Distress was demonstrated through behavioral changes such as increasing vocalization, pushing their heads outside their pens, sniffing the air or other animals, refusing to lie down and grazing less. These behaviors became even more intense when mothers and calves could see or hear each other. Also, if a cow had given birth before, her response to separations became stronger (Lidfords, 1996; Weary and Chua, 2000; Keyserlingk and Weary, 2007). One study found an increase in cow heart rates when researchers played recorded calf calls to their mothers (Marchant-Forde et al., 2002).

In conclusion, the studies showed it is quite clear that the sooner you separate the cow from her calf and break that bond, the fewer times she will cry out for her calf (Hurty-Person, 2018).

A study by Masson (2005:140) described one instance of separation:

‘When the calf was first removed, [the cow] was in acute grief; she stood outside the pen where she had last seen her calf and bellowed for her offspring for hours. She would only move when forced to do so. Even after six weeks, the mother would gaze at the pen where she last saw her calf and sometimes wait momentarily outside the pen’.

However, cows that were allowed to rear their calves until natural weaning showed improved udder health, reduced mastitis and increased psychological well-being (Fröberg et al., 2007). Elizabeth Cox, a veterinarian with Merck Animal Health and president of the Dairy Cattle Welfare Council, encourages her clients to keep the cow and calf together for 20 minutes. She refers this on the base of recent studies, which showed that allowing the cow to lick her calf stimulates the calf and also releases oxytocin in the dam. Oxytocin assists the expulsion of the placenta and milk letdown (Hurty-Person, 2018).

Figure 1: Life circle of a dairy cow (Voiceless, 2015: 13).

Separation – Calves

In nature, calves form strong bonds with their mothers which often lasts beyond weaning. Weary et al. (2014) studied calf distress due to early separation. This study observed calves which were separated from their mothers approximately 24 hours after birth. These calves showed signs of depression. Initial symptoms of distress included an increased heart rate and vocalization. Also, calves which were separated at 24 hours showed impaired social development and weight gain compared to calves which were separated later (Philips, 2002). If the calves were left with their mothers for 72 hours, their behavioral responses to the separation increased. The calves showed abnormal movements and behaviors including butting, urination, and vocalization. Grooming, lying and eating were also reduced (Solano et al., 2007). Veal calves showed vacuum behavior after being separated from their mothers, continuing to suck at pen mates, parts of their pen and themselves (Wood et al., 1967; Lalande et al., 1979; de Wilt, 1985). The psychological well-being of calves may be increased by avoiding distress caused by separation. This encourages more natural behavior and social bonding (OIE, 2011).

Also, calves may suffer from several physical health problems due to separation practices. Often, calves are sold at one week of age, and studies have shown that their ability to digest food declines after this very stressful event. Six percent of calves die before they are one month old. The primary cause of these deaths is diarrhoea (DEFRA, 2011). Calves allowed to stay with their mothers until natural weaning have a lower risk of diarrhoea due to improved colostrum intake and licking by the mother. ‘Colostrum will protect the calf against the diseases that the mother has been exposed to’ (Ohnstad, 2010, [online]).

For the first eight weeks, it is common to put calves in separate straw-bedded boxes outdoors. In the UK, around 60% of calves are reared in individual pens (Marcé et al., 2010). This results in social isolation for newborn calves who would typically be part of a herd with their mothers. ‘Calves housed individually have learning impairments, gain less weight and are more scared of new types of feed. This can make adapting to new situations, new cow groups or learning new tasks more stressful for them’ (Keyserlingk, 2018, [online]). On the other side, pair-housed or group-housed calves learn new tasks quicker and can better acclimate to new situations. But there is also a concern as this raises the risk for diseases (Hurty-Person, 2018).

The EU legally requires calves to be put into groups when they turn eight weeks old.

Dr. Koch (2015) identifies critical stressors in the life of a calf. These include separation from their mothers, changes of housing, group changes, food changes, dehorning and vaccinations. Calves are usually weaned (fed with solid food instead of milk replacements) when they are around eight weeks old. However, in nature, they would suckle from their mother until they are nine (female calves) to 12 (male calves) months old (Sowell et al., 1999; Young, 2003).

Figure 2 shows how two proteins demonstrate inflammatory reactions in the metabolism of calves before (-2) and after weaning (1-5). Three days after early weaning, haptoglobin levels are ten times higher than usual, showing acute metabolic distress. In Germany, 10-15 percent of calves die in their first year of life (Koch, 2015).

Figure 2: Inflammatory reaction to weaning (Koch, 215: 3).

The bond between mother and calf

Researchers at the University of British Columbia did a study which looked at the cow/calf bonding. Therefore, they allowed a group of cows contact with their calves. Half of the cows were also allowed to suckle their calves, while the others were not (the cows wore a bra, and the calves got their milk from a milk feeder). They discovered that the act of nursing was not necessary for the cow and calf to bond. Cows that did not nurse their calves bonded just as strongly as those who were allowed to nurse their calves. This indicates that the animals crave social interaction (Hurty-Pearson, 2018).

Solution searching

As research seems to prove that there is a link between suffering and the separation process of mother and calf, there are projects which are focusing on finding solutions. In Europe, the so called ‘’cuddle boxes'' are one of those ideas. These boxes are installed in the maternity area. They sit on the perimeter of the maternity pen and allow nose touches between mother and calf. In the Netherlands, producers have started to house calves and their mothers together (Hurty-Pearson, 2018).

As the milk prices are low and competition is high, the production has to be as cheap as possible. So, it is very questionable if these techniques are compatible with economic interests. The cuddle boxes have the issue that the separation is still happening and like mentioned in the section 'Separation - Mothers', the distressing behavior even increased if mother and calf were able to see each other but could not be together.

Lack of knowledge

While there are studies which prove that the separation of calf and mother is critical, none of the research asked if the common practice of separating calf and dam right after birth contributes or even could be the root cause of postpartum issues. ‘It is the very fact that we know very little about downstream consequences about this practice that places the dairy industry potentially at risk. The challenge, however, is that at present there is very little science to help guide practice or even to guide the discussion. When you look at the actual science that we have, we have a handful of studies that have looked at the acute behavioral effects of separation, but we also need to look at the bigger picture such as calf and cow morbidity or mortality rates. It provides no information on other topics such whether separation also impacts sickness.’ (von Keyserlingk, 2018, [online]).

Bobby calves and heifers

Dairy cows are particular breeds of cows, like the Holstein cattle. These breeds are not intended to be consumed as food, instead of putting all their energy into dairy production. Therefore, male calves are useless to this industry and commonly glut the market, with prices for one calf fluctuating between 40 and 80 Euros. Calves that are small or weak cost between 10 and 20 Euros. These low prices have resulted in significant animal welfare issues. For the farmers, it is often cheaper to kill calves instead of feeding them until they can be sold. It does not make economic sense to call a veterinarian if a calf is sick (Koschnitzke and Schießl, 2015; Armes Kalb - Abfallprodukt der Milchindustrie?, 2018). It is estimated that about 100,000 to 150,000 bull calves a year are shot in the UK within hours of their births (McVeigh, 2012).

Approximately 50 percent of female calves become dairy cows (heifers) (Weatherup et al., 2010). The other calves, including all bull calves and female calves not suitable for the milk industry, are called bobby calves. The majority of bobby calves that do not die on the farm are loaded onto trucks and brought to sale yards and slaughterhouses. At this young age, transport and travel can cause high levels of distress as the calves have not yet developed adequate mechanisms for coping with these stressors (AHA, 2011). Behavioral signs of this distress include the refusal to lie down within the first 15 hours of transport. This is very unnatural for newborns. It is also likely that they suffer from sleep deprivation and movement restrictions (Trunkfield and Broom, 1990).

Demands on Dairy Cows

Dairy cows are often bred while still lactating, which means they spend seven months every year producing large amounts of milk while being pregnant. They eat four times more than beef cows at pasture (Webster, 2005). Milk yields are between 25 to 50 liters per day, seven to 14 times more than a calf would drink. Calves usually drink five to six times a day, leaving only about two liters of

milk in an udder at any one time. At most farms, cows get milked twice a day. This forces cows to carry about 20 liters of milk in their udders (Fig. 4) (Fast life in the food chain, 1992; Webster, 1994). This high milk production depletes minerals and nutrients, which is why cows are often undernourished.

Metabolic stress also arises due to inadequate feed and the inability to digest the feed properly (Philips, 2002). The main reasons for early slaughter are infertility, lameness, and mastitis. All these diseases are linked to the distress that dairy cows face due to high production demands.

Figure 3: Comparison of a natural udder and an udder of a dairy cow (Skool of Vegan, 2019).

Conclusion

FAWC outlines a list of Five Freedom, aspects of animal welfare under human control (2014). It is evident that the fifth one on its roster, ‘Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering’ is not fulfilled for dairy cows.

The ongoing distress caused by having their babies taken away is an integral part of the dairy industry. Also, calves that live the first two months of their lives in isolation remain in unnatural, stressful conditions. The handling of bobby calves, which are seen as an unpleasant by-product, embodies a disrespect for life within this industry.

While humans are doing all this to millions of cows, the long term effects are widely unresearched. ‘In fact, given that we have nearly 8 percent calf mortality and also numerous cows that get sick after calving, a critic could potentially argue that these high rates of sickness and death observed in calves – and arguably cows – arise because we take the cow away from her baby’ (von Keyserlingk, 2018, [online]).

Webster (2005) states, ‘The dairy cow is exposed to more abnormal physiological demands than any other class of farm animal’. In modern times, the thought that every animal should have the right to experience some moments of joy in their life is broadly accepted. ‘We need to be open to those discussions about the mental state of the animal as well and to be considering that when you are working with your animals, designing facilities, training your employees, things like that’ (Cox, 2018, [online]). This approach to animal welfare goes beyond providing adequate food, water, and housing. It also focuses on a psychological level.

It is difficult to argue that there will be a way to take a baby away from his mother without causing mental suffering in the involved animals. Therefore, the continued support of this industry by consumers is highly questionable.

Word count: 2553 words

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