Developed from scientific research, veterinary recommendations, and producers’ experience, the Certified Humane® standard for dairy cattle establishes species-specific requirements. By complying, producers earn the right to display the Certified Humane® seal on product labels and in company marketing communications.

Proper nutrition and the environment in which cattle are raised are detailed in specific chapters of the standard, including particular requirements so calves and bulls can feed, exercise, and rest safely without injury.

Follow along to discover practical tips for dairy cattle nutrition and housing.

Nutrition of dairy cattle

Cattle must have access to a diet that is healthy and appropriate for their age and production stage, in sufficient quantity for all animals. Certain feeds and veterinary products are strictly prohibited.

Practical recommendations:

• Feed containing protein derived from mammals or birds is prohibited, except milk and milk by-products;
• Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) must not be used to stimulate productivity;
• Cattle must never be fed antibiotics, ionophores, coccidiostats, or other substances to promote performance, feed efficiency, or milk yield;
• Antibiotics for disease treatment may only be administered under veterinary guidance;
• Adult cattle and calves over 30 days old must receive fiber sources that stimulate rumination;
• Dairy cows should be fed primarily quality pasture and forage in sufficient quantity;
• Feeders must be clean, easily accessible, and provide enough space for all animals to eat simultaneously;
• The entire herd must have daily access to clean, fresh drinking water, with contingency supply for emergencies such as drought;
• All animals must maintain a body condition score of at least 2, according to the standard’s classification table

Nutritional requirements for calves

Calf nutrition must meet specific requirements to ensure healthy development:

• Calves must have constant access to clean, fresh water from the first week of life;

• Newborn calves must receive 2–4 liters of colostrum from the mother, another recently calved cow, or frozen colostrum within the first 6 hours of life;
• Calves must not be weaned before 5 weeks of age, and weaning should be gradual by diluting milk with water;
• After 30 days of life, calves must receive daily feed or forage containing digestible fiber.

Suitable environment for dairy cattle

Housing must not cause physical, thermal, or emotional discomfort and must allow natural behaviors. Animals must have full freedom of movement to lie down, stand up, turn around, groom, and stretch. Tethering is strictly prohibited.

Key recommendations:

• Farms must keep records including total floor area, number of pens or stalls, resting space size, maximum stocking density by age and weight, and feeder and drinker availability;
• Floors must be non-slip and free from elements that cause recurring injuries;
• Barn height must allow normal behavior during mating season, and passageways must permit safe movement without hoof damage;
• Animals housed in loose systems must have shelter from wind and access to a dry, well-drained resting area with sufficient space and comfort; shade structures must accommodate all animals simultaneously;
• Loose housing must provide at least 5.6 m² per adult cow so they can lie down at the same time;
• Bedding must be at least 7.5 cm deep; suitable substrate or rubber flooring (minimum 2.54 cm thick) may be used to absorb moisture;
• Ammonia concentration must not exceed 25 ppm in extreme cases;
• Ventilation must maintain relative humidity below 80%, and lighting must allow inspection at any time;
• Calving areas must be clean, dry or well-drained, and have access to water;
• Milking parlors must be kept extremely clean; milking equipment must be frequently calibrated and properly maintained.

Housing requirements for bulls and calves

Specific requirements also apply to bulls and calves:

• Bulls must have individual housing areas of at least 14 m²; large bulls require 1 m² of resting space per 60 kg of body weight and at least 28 m² of exercise area;
• After weaning, calves must be grouped by similar age and size and have access to an outdoor area;
• Calves must have a resting area in solid-floor housing (no slats) with clean, dry bedding and adequate slope for drainage; individual housing is permitted up to 8 weeks of age with appropriate space for age, size, and breed.

And what is welfare in milk production? It depends, not least, on adequate nutrition for the species and the needs of each animal according to its production phase, and frequent care for the health of the entire herd. You can’t underestimate the importance of effective management, carried out by responsible and well-trained managers who can detect problems early on and resolve them immediately. 

So, follow the text below and find out how to provide adequate nutrition, carry out effective management and care for the health of the herd to ensure the well-being of dairy cattle!

The right nutrition 

In order to have a healthy diet, each bovine animal must receive the right amount of feed for its age and productive phase, taking into account the climate and season. Heifers, for example, have specific dietary requirements that must be strictly adhered to if they are to become productive when they grow up. 

Here are some important tips for providing adequate nutrition:

– Cattle should not be given antibiotics, ionophores, coccidiostats or other substances to promote growth, feed efficiency or milk production;

– Antibiotics should only be administered individually for the treatment of diseases and only with the advice of a veterinarian;

– From the first weeks of life, there should always be plenty of clean, quality water available to the animals; 

– As soon as they are born, calves should receive a minimum amount of colostrum to ensure they are protected against disease; 

– While dairy cows need to be fed quality pasture and forage, calves over 30 days old need a diet rich in fiber to stimulate rumen development;

– To reduce stress, the diet of cattle must be adapted to their needs in both summer and winter;

– It is essential to plan forage so that the animals also have quality food in the dry season or when there is little pasture. 

Management

It is impractical to guarantee the welfare of any farm animal without those in charge being trained to identify stress factors knowing how to deal with any situation promptly and effectively. For this reason, dairy farm management has a responsibility to provide adequate training for all employees. 

Here are some tips for good dairy farm management:

– Create an emergency action plan outlining the procedures to be followed in the event of fire, drought or flooding;

– Keep up-to-date records of animal husbandry, quarantine procedures and medication use, as well as records of diseases affecting the herd and mortality rates;

– Train caretakers to understand stress factors affecting cattle. 

Herd Health 

Successfully promoting cattle herd health requires drawing up an Animal Health Plan (AHP), which should be updated regularly under the guidance of a veterinarian. The AHP should include the practices and care to be taken with, for example, the animals’ hooves, which should be inspected at least once a year.

See other tips on PSA and herd health:

– The herd’s performance must be monitored constantly and attention must be paid to metabolic and infectious diseases and injuries caused by housing or handling;

– Animals suffering from diseases or injuries need to be treated immediately and, if necessary, euthanized;

– Replacement animals brought in from other sources must be quarantined before joining the herd;

– To assess the herd’s laminitis rate, the locomotion score can be used with biannual PSA records;

– Removal of supernumerary teats can be carried out until puberty with the use of pain medication;

– Hoof trimming can be done at up to 3 weeks of age, using heat cauterization and pain medication;

– Removal of horns should only be done by a veterinarian, using sedative or local anesthesia and anti-inflammatory drugs; 

– Tail docking is prohibited;

– Broom trimming is permitted;

– The farm must be prepared to carry out euthanasia when necessary: the procedure must be carried out by a trained employee or a veterinarian and the disposal of the carcass must meet local requirements and regulations.