Cow Behavior

Managing the inevitable: Supporting through stress for health and productivity

carie_telgen@diamondv.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As an industry, we have made great strides in optimizing cow comfort, improving animal welfare and finding ways to minimize stress in our herds. However, there are still times throughout their lives that our cattle may undergo stressful events, whether it is social or physical.

Calves can vote too: Preferences for hutch ventilation during summer

jvanos@wisc.edu — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A potential consequence of the dual hutch housing system is that when calves choose to share a hutch, this could increase the risk of heat stress during warm weather. We conducted a study at the University of Wisconsin – Madison to see if this concern is warranted and to measure how calves use hutch ventilation.

Working with cattle: Tips for minimizing stress

cgwyn@jefo.ca — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

One of our areas of focus is to help producers reduce dairy cow stress. In a recent anecdotal survey, we asked them: Which dairy cow stressor do you think has the biggest impact on you, your cows and your bottom line?

Optimizing fertility: Health impact of lactating cows under Double Ovsynch protocol

amadurei@uoguelph.ca — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Studies show the decrease in fertility can be strongly associated with transition cow health. Utilizing a Double Ovsynch program could increase fertility even in cows with health events during transition.

The secret language of heat stress: What your dry cows are telling you

bdado-senn@vitaplus.com — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:06:53 -0400

Dry, non-lactating dairy cows are more thermo-tolerant relative to their lactating counterparts, as they are not putting high levels of energy into making milk.

Calving pen management: Insights from the cow’s perspective

katherine.creutzinger@uwrf.edu — Tue, 03 May 2022 19:32:38 -0400

Most transition diseases occur during the three weeks after calving, many of which are triggered at birth. Creating a low-stress calving pen can have positive impacts on dairy cow welfare by limiting the amount of time cows spend in labor and allowing cows to perform maternal behaviors.

Is calving painful? What can we do for the calf and the dam?

sroche@acerconsult.ca — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 21:35:37 -0500

Do cows experience pain after calving?

This might sound like a silly question – especially for those who have experienced childbirth.

Dairy calves use brushes for more than combing their hair

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:17:27 -0400

Dairy cows have a natural drive to groom themselves and to scratch those hard-to-reach itches on their bodies. When given the opportunity, dairy cattle use mechanical brushes daily at every stage of their lives.

Animal care includes providing dairy cattle with opportunities for important behaviors

jvanos@wisc.edu — Wed, 29 May 2019 18:20:43 -0400

As long as a cow or calf is healthy and productive, she has good well-being, right? No, not necessarily.