Exploring farmers' perceptions of the value and management of dairy-bred calves in block-calving dairy systems

Policies implemented by milk buyers and the Great Britain calf strategy aim to prevent the on-farm euthanasia of healthy dairy-bred calves and align the management with that of replacement heifers. The welfare of dairy-bred calves is influenced by multiple factors, many of which are driven by management decisions that reflect the values and perceptions of farm managers and calf rearers. Workload is maximized in block-calving systems wherein calves are born within a 12-wk period, thus potentially exaggerating differing views on calf value. This paper explores the perceived value of dairy heifer and surplus calves in English block-calving systems and investigates how this and other factors affect calf management. Participants were recruited using purposive and "snowball" sampling, yielding 38 semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded. Three key themes were identified: (1) the perceived value of calves, (2) the impact of value on management and welfare, and (3) the importance of simplicity in managing a system at capacity. Overall, replacement heifer calves were perceived as highly valuable and "the future of the herd," whereas the perceived value of surplus calves was variable. Some farmers prioritized simplicity, whereby management protocols were standardized, whereas others justified suboptimal management practices, including feeding poorer colostrum and lower quality milk to surplus calves due to their lower value. Further research is required to assess how these attitudes and behaviors toward calf value influence health and welfare to better inform the development of future calf-focused policies.