Dairy cattle have a reputation for being a bit slow to learning, but they have the ability to learn quite well. Their ability to learn is directly linked to their welfare, as they learn and perform best when they are healthy, comfortable and at ease.

Until recently, raising all heifer calves to breeding age or calving and selling them was not profitable. Using the concept of genomics, lower-ranking females in the herd have been bred to beef sires, resulting in a new profit center for many farms. Finally, we are learning to appreciate that the better we raise our heifer calves, the healthier they are, and they produce more milk during their first and later lactations.