About the project
TransformDairyNet (TDN) 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.
TDN objectives
TransformDairyNet aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the European dairy sector by creating a collaborative network to compile, co-create, and share practical knowledge and innovations in Cow-Calf Contact (CCC) systems across Europe. The project focuses on:
- Driving dairy innovation through Living Labs in National Practice Hubs, fostering new ideas and testing sustainability solutions.
- Accelerating the adoption of CCC systems by mobilising a European Multi-Actor Network to address farmer needs and bridge knowledge gaps.
- Building capacity for long-term impact by collaborating with EU FarmBook and ensuring future-ready CCC knowledge sharing.
- Modernising the sector by combining science and practice to deliver validated best practices for CCC systems.
- Amplifying impact with digital tools and harmonised farmer resources to promote CCC systems widely.
The project also aims to inspire transformation in other agricultural practices, addressing citizen demand for sustainable farming methods like regenerative agriculture and zero-carbon systems.
How does TDN work?
The Living Lab (LL) innovation process will be facilitated by trained National Network Facilitator (NNFs) through four distinct steps.
Work packages
Lead partner; RAU
WP1, focuses on mobilizing National Innovation Practice Hubs (NIPs) and the European Knowledge and Innovation Network (EKIN) to share and co-create practice-oriented knowledge on Cow-Calf Contact (CCC) systems. The goal is to foster collaboration across 12 countries and beyond, connecting dairy farmers, advisors, veterinarians, and other stakeholders.
In the first year, WP1 will train and support National Network Facilitators (NNFs) to coordinate NIPs, which will consist of 12-15 members, including at least 8-10 CCC farmers. The EKIN will be mobilized with up to 150 members across Europe and other regions, facilitating knowledge exchange globally.
NNFs will receive training and a toolkit to help mobilize NIPs, share existing CCC knowledge, identify needs, and co-create new practices through Living Labs. Ongoing support, including peer-to-peer workshops, will ensure continuous engagement and effective dissemination of knowledge across the network.
Lead partner; RDIB
Overarching Objective: Empower National (NIP) and European (EKIN) networks to share and implement CCC knowledge across Europe and beyond.
In WP2, National Network Facilitators (NNFs) will guide NIPs to work together, compiling and co-creating CCC knowledge ready for practice. Starting with bi-annual workshops, NNFs will connect dairy farmers, researchers, and industry experts to share solutions, tackle challenges, and generate new ideas for testing through Living Labs.
At the European level, EKIN meetings will be held annually to encourage cross-border collaboration. The first EKIN meeting will focus on sharing existing CCC knowledge, while the second will tackle innovation and co-creation of new practices. The final EKIN meeting will highlight real-world implementation of CCC, aiming to establish a lasting legacy for sustainable farming.
To further amplify CCC adoption, a European Farmer Share Fair will bring together experienced and emerging CCC farmers. Hosted on a leading CCC farm, this event will provide hands-on learning to upskill the next generation of CCC practitioners, ensuring wider adoption and knowledge sharing across Europe.
Lead partner; THU
WP3 focuses on gathering and synthesizing practical knowledge on cow-calf contact (CCC) systems, drawn from farmers, advisors, and scientific research. The goal is to map current knowledge and to identify the needs and challenges of farmers and related stakeholders along the dairy chain —such as technical skills, marketing, and regulatory barriers—to improve the adoption of CCC practices on farms.
National Network Facilitators (NNFs) will engage with local experts and farmers to identify current CCC practices and the obstacles to their implementation. This will create a comprehensive overview of the knowledge landscape and highlight areas for further development. The insights gathered will be used to co-create new solutions through the Living Labs process.
Additionally, WP3 will explore the regulatory factors affecting CCC systems by evaluating EU and national regulations. This will help pinpoint local barriers and inform policy discussions. Lastly, a workshop with industry experts will review CCC metrics within existing farm assurance labels, developing standardized metrics that can be tested and refined for broader adoption.
Lead partner; NVI
WP4 aims to drive innovation in the wider application of CCC by supporting farmer-led Living Labs (LLs) and measuring the sustainability of CCC systems. By working with National Network Facilitators (NNFs), WP4 will identify innovation ideas based on the needs and gaps uncovered in WP3 and engage farmers in testing and developing new solutions.
Through the Living Lab process, farmers will identify challenges, collaborate to find solutions, and test their feasibility. Funding will be provided to support the implementation of these ideas, with NIPs guiding farmers through four stages: idea generation, knowledge exchange, testing, and wider application.
In parallel, WP4 will develop a sustainability tool tailored to CCC systems. This will involve co-creating resource flow models, reviewing current sustainability tools, and collecting data on environmental, economic, and social aspects of CCC systems. The goal is to produce metrics that can measure and compare the sustainability of CCC systems with conventional practices. The findings will be shared and refined through workshops, ensuring broad dissemination and use of the new sustainability tools.
Lead partner; FVE
WP5 focuses on developing a strategy to communicate, disseminate, and exploit the knowledge generated through TransformDairyNet. The goal is to ensure that CCC practices are shared effectively across Europe and beyond.
To achieve this, a comprehensive communication and dissemination plan will be created, highlighting the channels and key messages needed to reach target audiences. The project’s website will serve as the central hub for all information, featuring partner profiles, updates, and event promotions. Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube) will also be used to spread the project’s outcomes, while a bi-annual newsletter will keep stakeholders informed about NIP activities, Living Lab progress, and new CCC practices.
NNFs will take the lead in promoting and sharing CCC knowledge across Europe. The toolkit for communication will include fact sheets, technical notes, and practice abstracts, all designed to make the knowledge accessible and practical for end-users. Additionally, the toolkit will feature podcasts, interviews with farmers, and videos showcasing Living Lab case studies. Webinars will be organized to discuss specific topics and share insights with a broader audience.
To ensure that the results reach the right people, the toolkit will be distributed through national channels and platforms like ResearchGate, the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), and EU-FarmBook. Policy briefs will be produced to communicate findings to European policymakers and national authorities.
In parallel, the communication plan will be refined through surveys and feedback from end-users, ensuring that dissemination efforts are tailored to their preferences and needs.
Lead partner; NMBU
WP6 focuses on populating and applying the communication, dissemination, and exploitation toolkit developed in WP5, ensuring that CCC knowledge reaches end-users effectively across Europe.
The toolkit, built from WP5 outputs, will be populated with new and existing CCC knowledge from WP3 and WP4, translating it into accessible, farmer-friendly materials. These will include fact sheets, technical notes, practice abstracts, and podcasts featuring farmers sharing their experiences of transitioning to CCC systems. Additionally, real-life learning will be supported through farm exchange programs and cross-visits, where farmers and agriculture students can see CCC in action.
Videos will be produced to showcase Living Lab case studies and virtual farm tours, helping to normalize CCC practices. Webinars and workshops will also be organized to further disseminate CCC knowledge and encourage broader uptake. Policy briefs will be created to target European policymakers, offering insights on CCC practices and their potential for transforming farming systems toward sustainability.
The dissemination of the project toolkit will extend beyond Europe, with content translated into multiple languages and shared through NIPs, EKIN, and national networks. Farmers will be encouraged to trial best practices and report on their impact. TransformDairyNet will publish material in EUFarmbook, and collaborate with other EU projects, enhancing the reach and impact of its findings.
The results and strategies developed in WP6 will ensure that the knowledge continues to spread and influence farming practices even after the project concludes.
Lead partner; EMU
WP7 is all about ensuring that the transformative innovations and lessons from TransformDairyNet continue to shape food systems long after the project ends. Our aim is to establish lasting systems for knowledge sharing and innovation that drive sustainable, net-zero farming practices.
We focus on two key tasks:
First, by evaluating the success of CCC innovations, we’ll gather lessons learned and create strategies for scaling these practices to other food systems. We’ll collaborate with initiatives like Pathways to Sustainable Food to maximize impact and align with global sustainability goals.
Second, through our "Beyond HORIZON" plan, we’ll ensure ongoing knowledge sharing by maintaining a strong network for idea exchange and paving the way for future projects to build on CCC's success.
WP7 will lay the foundation for the global adoption of CCC practices, creating a lasting community that will continue to innovate and learn together.
Lead partner; UCD
In WP8, the team focuses on keeping everything running smoothly, making sure TransformDairyNet is on track to achieve its goals and deliver lasting impact. The story begins with the Project Coordinator, supported by a Project Manager, who oversees the entire journey. Together, they ensure that all tasks are completed on time, milestones are reached, and any issues are swiftly addressed.
The General Assembly (GA) brings all partners together at key moments throughout the project—once online and three times in person—where they discuss progress, review decisions, and adjust strategies as needed. A monthly Management Board meeting helps keep things on track, ensuring that every aspect of the project is coordinated efficiently.
Behind the scenes, the Project Manager ensures that the financial and administrative tasks are handled seamlessly. A shared secure platform is used by all partners to store key documents, track progress, and manage resources effectively.
Data and ethical considerations are a priority. The team creates a Data Management Plan to protect participants' privacy and ensure compliance with regulations. Ethical governance and diversity are woven into the project, ensuring fairness and inclusion in every aspect, from hiring practices to how communication reaches the outside world. As new innovations emerge, legal experts help manage intellectual property rights, ensuring everyone’s work is protected.
WP8 is all about keeping everything organized, compliant, and moving toward a future where dairy farming thrives sustainably.
Advisory Board
David Finlay
CCC farmer, UK The Ethical Diary
David, winner of the 2021 VIBES Outstanding Achievement Award and 2024 Holyrood Climate Action Award for Net Zero and Nature, manages Rainton Farm in Galloway, SW Scotland. With a background in agriculture and consultancy, he transitioned his family farm to a regenerative model, integrating agroecology, agroforestry, and agro-technology to achieve an independently audited, 50% biodiversity growth and net zero farm status. Key innovations include delayed calf weaning, 100% pasture feeding, once-a-day milking, and a cooperative cheese-making enterprise. David’s work demonstrates the potential for sustainable, ethical, and environmentally friendly food production.
Margret Vonholdt-Wenker
ECR, DE (Friedrich Loeffler Institut, ECR did her PhD on CCC )
Margret is a postdoctoral researcher at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute in Celle (Germany), dedicated to advancing animal husbandry systems that promote natural behaviors while optimizing livestock health. Her work focuses on enhancing animal welfare through innovative approaches in sustainable production systems, especially for dairy farming and cow-calf rearing. With a strong emphasis on animal behavior, Margret has over 10 years of experience in cow-calf contact systems. She worked closely with both animal scientists and stakeholders towards optimal housing and management of herds with prolonged contact and understanding what type of contact is most beneficial for animal welfare. In 2024, she received the IGN Research Award for her PhD thesis ‘Welfare implications of prolonged cow-calf contact in dairy farming’.
Marianne Penker
Social scientist, AT (BOKU University , Rural Sociology and Rural Development and an expert in sustainable food system science and transdisciplinary research)
Marianne is a Professor of Rural Sociology and Rural Development at BOKU’s Institute of Sustainable Economic Development. A sustainability scientist, she focuses on transformative solutions for rural areas using Ostrom’s Social-Ecological-Systems framework. Marianne contributed to the SAPEA report on sustainable EU food systems, presenting findings to the European Parliament, and chairs the UNESCO Man & Biosphere National Committee in Austria. She has also served as an evaluator for universities and research programs across Europe.
Lisa Williams van Dijk
Innovation specialist, FR Highclere Consulting
Lisa is a senior international consultant at Highclere Consulting and also works with the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. Her PhD focused on farmer-led innovation in the European livestock sector, and she specializes in facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborative learning and co-creation processes. With 25 years of experience in knowledge exchange, learning, and innovation with farmers and rural communities her current work focuses on European projects to enhance interactive innovation through projects such as PREMIERE and the EU-FarmBook. She is also involved in setting up a European wide network of livestock advisors well embedded in their AKIS ecosystems and exchanging practical knowledge in the long-term for sustainable livestock production (LIVENET). During her previous work in international development, Lisa has managed agricultural and rural development projects across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Alongside her consultancy and project work, she is also a dedicated sheep farmer producing pedigree Suffolk sheep on her farm in France.
