Animal Welfare Research Needs for Dairy Cattle

Following is a list of priority research needs that were identified during the dairy cattle Code development process. Click here to visit the dairy cattle Code web page for the Scientific Committee report and to view the full Code.

List compiled: May 2023

Cow-calf separation 

  • Due to the lack of consistent scientific evidence, more research is needed to provide further evidence of how early separation versus prolonged contact with the dam affects the risk of:
    • calf scours, Johne’s disease, calf respiratory disease, failure of passive transfer to the calf, calf morbidity and mortality, and milk yield.
  • Research is needed to develop practical, best management practices for prolonged cow-calf contact. 

Housing and facilities 

  • How stocking densities in automatic milking systems and bedded pack systems affect social interactions and opportunity for movement.
  • How understocking at the lying stall affects how cows express social preferences.
  • Impact of increased movement on dairy cattle health and welfare, including ideal frequencies and durations of freedom of movement (either in less restrictive indoor housing and/or at pasture). 
  • The true effect of outdoor access alone on health and welfare outcomes, including the frequency and severity of injuries. 

Pain control for painful conditions and procedures 

  • Assess the use of sedatives to reduce the stress response to disbudding.
  • Assess the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy for cows experiencing dystocia and for calves born from a dystocia.
  • Determine the impact of NSAID treatment for pain in mild to moderate clinical mastitis.
  • Determine the efficacy of NSAID therapy for metritis through assessment of changes in behavioural and physiologic outcomes associated with pain. 

Lameness and injuries 

  • Quantify the impact of hoof trimming (including the type of method and quality of the trim) on lameness, hoof and leg health, and gait outcomes.
  • Determine the best methods to resolve chronic cases of lameness.
  • Explore the recovery and remediation time associated with different treatment methods to manage injuries.
  • Understand the best strategy to mitigate pain caused by lameness.
  • Understand pain that occurs as a result of the process of therapeutic trimming where the cow’s legs are placed in potentially injury-inducing positions.
  • Understand the motivations and priorities of producers with respect to the prevention and control of lameness. 

Other 

  • General management of surplus calves.
  • Management of lactation persistency and potential for extended lactations.
  • Best methods for cessation of milking.