ACUTE EFFECTS OF COW-CALF SEPARATION ON HEART-RATE, PLASMA-CORTISOL AND BEHAVIOR IN MULTIPAROUS DAIRY-COWS

Removing the calf after bonding may induce acute stress in the dairy c ow. We examined the responses of dairy cows immediately after the remo val of their calves, Eight dairy cows were successively separated from their calves on the third day post-partum and heart rate and behaviou r of the cows were recorded. In addition, the cows were blood sampled before and after the separation for cortisol analysis. After separatio n, cows vocalised initially and moved to the feeding rack but started feeding shortly after that. Heart rate effects were restricted to the first minutes after separation and cortisol effects were not found. We conclude that multiparous dairy cows respond only mildly immediately after their calves have been removed, Feasible explanations for the ob served mild response are discussed.