Instant Insights: Improving the Health and Welfare of Heifers and Calves

Jennifer Van Os is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare on the faculty of the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. The research in her lab at UW-Madison focuses on understanding, evaluating, and improving the welfare of dairy animals from a biological perspective.

• Chapter 1 - Optimising reproductive management to maximise dairy herd health and production: Norman B. Williamson, Massey University, New Zealand; 1 Introduction2 Grouping animals to measure individual animal reproduction limits3 Measuring reproductive performance4 Production-related reproductive indices for pasture-based seasonally calving herds5 Diagnostic reproductive indices for pasture-based seasonally calving herds6 Production-related reproductive indices in year-round calving herds7 Indices used to diagnose causes of inadequate herd reproduction8 Monitoring bull breeding9 Management of herd limits to reproduction: anoestrus10 Clinical examination and treatment of anoestrous cows11 Improving oestrus detection12 Controlled breeding programmes for oestrus synchronisation13 The role of nutrition in limiting and optimising reproduction14 Managing abortion15 Conclusion and future trends16 Where to look for further information17 ReferencesChapter 2 - Advances in understanding behavioral needs and improving the welfare of calves and heifers: Emily Miller-Cushon, University of Florida, USA; and Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA; 1 Introduction2 Addressing social needs3 Addressing feeding needs4 Addressing resting and environmental comfort needs5 Addressing other behavioral needs6 Common themes and developing areas of research7 Conclusion8 Where to look for further information9 ReferencesChapter 3 - Managing calves/young stock to optimise dairy herd health: John F. Mee, Teagasc, Ireland; 1 Introduction2 Costs of heifer rearing3 Targets for heifer rearing4 Start of the dairy herd health lifecycle5 Impacts of calfhood nutritional management on subsequent dairy herd health6 Impacts of calfhood diseases on subsequent dairy herd health7 Role of vet in communicating best practice in youngstock management8 Conclusion and future trends9 Where to look for further information10 References