EIP Project Database

Federal State

Schleswig-Holstein

Project Title

Cow-dependent calf rearing

Project description

Data on parasite load, weight development, calf health, udder skin condition and working time requirements were collected from the dairy farms involved in the project. These served as the basis for practical recommendations and were incorporated into a guideline for action.

The operational group, consisting of practitioners, scientists and consultants, held regular meetings to develop solutions for animal health, barn construction and economics - central topics of the guide.

The guide was tested on pilot farms, revised and supplemented with an accompanying website. This provides additional materials such as checklists, calculation tools and barn plan variants and serves as an information platform for interested parties.

Final report

Download report (PDF file)

Results focusing on practiceorientation

Most of the rearing calves were assessed as healthy over the course of the project. Weight development showed an average daily gain of one kilogram. In the lactating cows, the udder bonitures revealed a drier teat skin and a lower fat content in the milk, while the protein content remained the same.

Calves on separate pastures without cows had a higher parasitic load. Calves grazing with older cows were spared - an effect known from suckler cow husbandry.

The weaning procedures varied between the farms and were documented in order to provide interested farmers with suggestions.

Main funding source

Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 56 of Reg.1305/2013)

Project status

completed

Total budget applied for in EUR

345,240

Link 1

project website of EIP Agrar SH

Link 3

Guideline

NUTS3 CODE

DEF0B