Innovation for Agriculture - Calf welfare in the dairy and beef industry

Definitions: Calf - an animal under 12 months of age, can be beef or dairy; Youngstock - term for calves and non-milking/non-breeding stock <2 years

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following terms best describes your farm system? [Tick as many that apply]

Dairy only

Beef only

Dairy and beef

Mixed species

Conventional

Organic

All-Year-Round calving

Block calving

Herd size <100

Herd size 101-500

Herd size >500

Question Title

* 2. Do you normally rear calves/youngstock… [Tick all that apply]

as a specific calf rearing enterprise?

to sell to cattle buyers for market?

to sell at the market?

to sell to a private buyer?

to sell straight to slaughter as soon as possible?

to adults (so as stores/fattening/suckler cattle)?

as dairy replacements only?

I do not rear calves at all

Other

Question Title

* 3. What are the main challenges you face on farm when managing calf welfare? [List all that apply]

Question Title

* 4. In your opinion, what are the main issues for the wider industry when it comes to rearing calves?

Question Title

* 5. What is your normal protocol for calving?

Snatch calf within 2 hrs of birth

Snatch calf within 8 hrs of birth

Leave calf with dam for up to 24hrs then remove

Leave calf with dam for up to 48hrs then remove

Leave calf with dam for 2-7days then remove

Leave calf with dam for >7 days and then remove

Calf stays with dam until weaned by dam i.e. suckler system

I do not calve cows.

Question Title

* 6. How do you keep pre-weaned calves? [Tick all that apply]

Outside with rest of adult herd

In single pens/hutches OUTSIDE

In single pens/hutches INSIDE

In pairs in pens/hutches OUTSIDE

In pairs in pens/hutches INSIDE

Groups >2 in pens/hutches OUTSIDE

Groups >2 in pens/hutches INSIDE

As a calf mob outside at pasture

Option for text explanation

Question Title

* 7. How do you feel about the statement, “pre-weaned calves should always be kept with at least one other calf or their dam/mother”?

I totally agree

I mostly agree

I feel indifferent about it

I disagree

I strongly disagree

Option for text explanation

Question Title

* 8. How do you feel about the statement “no healthy calf can be slaughtered or euthanised on farm within 8 weeks of life"?

I totally agree

I mostly agree

I feel indifferent about it

I disagree

I strongly disagree

Option for text explanation

Question Title

* 9. If money were no issue, what would be top of your wish list for helping you manage your calves/youngstock?

Question Title

* 10. Would you be interested in joining a farmer-led group on these issues?

Yes