Using Behaviour to Improve Housing and Management Around the Time of Calving

Calving is painful and the transition to lactation is associated with many physiological changes and an increased risk of production diseases. To date there has been a dearth of research on how best to manage the dairy cow around parturition. Current trends towards increased use of group calving pens in dairy farming have also raised questions on whether the cow is adequately able to express maternal behaviours and if there are any risks associated with calving in this environment.

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