Graduate Student Literature Review: Implications of preweaning social housing for long-term dairy cattle performance...

Dairy calf housing remains a focal point of discussion for producers, consumers, and animal welfare scientist. As animal welfare and animal care priorities shift, understanding the impacts social housing types has on the success of dairy heifers is vital for herd longevity and farm economics. Historically, dairy calves are reared in social isolation which can impair performance, behavior, and physiological development. Conversely, social housing of dairy heifers has yielded numerous short-term benefits surrounding cognitive and behavioral development, performance, and the formation of social bonds, particularly during the pre-weaning and weaning periods. While research remains limited, studies tracking long-term effects have shown variable performance benefits extending into lactation. This narrative review synthesizes what we currently know regarding the short- and long-term benefits of early-life social housing and discussion of the factors influencing longer-term behavioral and production outcomes in our dairy heifers.