Let's Get Social

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At conventional dairies, as well as many organic dairies, calves are typically reared in isolation. For the first several months of their lives, they are kept in individual calf hutches, separated from one another by fencing. This is done to minimize the spread of disease.

In recognition that cows are social animals and should be allowed to interact naturally, the dairies that supply our milk, with the support of the Animal Welfare Approved organization, have developed an innovative group calving system. In the new system, calves are housed in groups of 8 to 15 in spacious pens with plenty of fresh, dry bedding material. The calves have 24-hr access to automatic milk feeders, as well as water and organic mixed ration. Each pen opens up onto a section of pasture where calves can exercise and graze when weather permits.

Contrary to conventional thinking, the group calving system has not led to an increase in disease. Rather, the automated feeding system has freed up the herdsmen to spend more quality time with the calves, catching and preventing disease from occurring in the first place.

And perhaps best of all, when reared in groups and allowed to express their natural behavior, the calves are thriving at a significantly higher rate than in the previous isolation system. Since implementing the group calving system the herdsman, Cesar Rey, has noticed a significant increase in the calves ability to gain weight.  According to Cesar, they are much calmer and more relaxed too!

See pictures of the calves in their new digs here.