Working together to upscale Cow-Calf-Contact dairy systems
TransformDairyNet aims to promote systems where calves stay with their mothers for months, rather than being separated shortly after birth, as is common in traditional dairy farming. Cow-calf contact (CCC) has the potential to improve animal welfare and health. The project involves 26 partners across Europe, including farmers, researchers, and industry experts. It will establish 11 national hubs to share knowledge about CCC practices, develop innovative solutions to CCC challenges and guides for farmers, and create a network for exchanging information on sustainable dairy farming. By 2027, TransformDairyNet aims to increase the adoption of CCC systems in European dairy farms, towards more ethical and sustainable dairy production.
About the projectCow calf separation is a significant animal welfare challenge and ethical concern for European citizens. We are delighted to be working with pioneering farmers and others to enable more dairy cows and calves to spend time together all across Europe, making sure we’ve got a dairy sector fit for the future.
Siobhan Mullan
Project Coordinator from University College Dublin
Potential benefits of cow-calf contact dairy systems:
-50%
Greenhouse gas emissions
-90%
Antimicrobial use
-90%
Agro-chemical use
+400%
Boosting biodiversity
Transform Dairy Net will establish 11 national hubs to share knowledge about CCC practices, develop innovative solutions to CCC challenges and guides for farmers, and create a network for exchanging information on sustainable dairy farming.
Dairy cow
Dairy buffalo
