The publication describes the natural relationship between the cow and her calf and draws conclusions for the species-appropriate rearing of calves.

Calf husbandry in a mother-bonded or fostered calf rearing system is of growing interest to livestock farmers. More and more dairy farmers want to leave calves with their mothers for longer and still milk the cows. The cow and her calf should be able to live out their natural relationship more intensively.

After World War II, the evolution of Europe’s agro-food system has been marked by intensified use of synthetic fertilizers, territorial specialization, and integration in global food and feed markets. This evolution led to increased nitrogen (N) losses to aquatic environments and the atmosphere, which, despite increasing environmental regulations, continues to harm ecosystems and human well-being.