The project is looking at alternative calf fattening systems with outdoor exercise and pasture feeding, and comparing different pastures and breeds in terms of daily weight gain and health.
The aim of the project is to determine whether fattening calves from dairy herds that have been kept under the same conditions in group housing with a small outdoor area until weaning develop differently after weaning in terms of their health and immune system, as well as their daily weight gain, if they are fattened half day (during the day) on pasture or continue to be fattened all day indoors with a small outdoor area. Our hypothesis is that the calves will be healthier and develop a better immune system if they are on pasture during the day. We don't expect there to be a big difference in daily weight gain. The results of this study are relevant to both organic and non-organic farms.
Implementation of the project
This project is linked to the EU Re-Livestock project: the same animals are monitored as in the EU project. However, the EU project does not include health parameters; these will be investigated in the project described here. In this way, synergies can be exploited.
