Groovin the moo: UTAS bringing fun back into milking sheds during six-week research trial into ‘enrichment toys’ for calves

Tasmanian researchers are bringing fun back to the milking shed, to discover whether “enrichment programs” such as toys can help increase welfare outcomes for dairy calves.

UTAS Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Rhiannon Cox will run a trial at TIA’s Dairy Research Facility at Elliott as part of her honours research project.

Tasmanian researchers are bringing fun back to the milking shed, to discover whether “enrichment programs” such as toys can help increase the welfare outcomes of dairy calves.

UTAS Bachelor of Agricultural Science honours student, Rhiannon Cox, said a six-week trial at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture’s dairy research facility at Elliott would investigate what types of extra-curricular activities calves were most attracted to.

Ms Cox said that Miss Cox said activities that allow animals to display biologically relevant behaviours, such as suckling in the case of calves, were more beneficial than objects or toys that did not serve such purposes.

“I’m studying what type of enrichment activities the calves appear interested in and choose to interact with,” Ms Cox said.

“I’m also looking at the connection with reduced stress levels and increased weight gain which are important indicators for calves,” Miss Cox said.

One of the 'enrichment' toys which are available for calves and cows.

“Previous research has found the environment in a calf shed has a significant impact on the welfare of dairy cows and can set them up for life.

“We’re aiming to identify practical things that farmers can easily implement on their farm without spending lots of money.”

The fourth-year TIA student said that calves, like young children, had instincts they wanted to practice and learn through play.

While calves often faced health problems due to suckling and chewing on fixtures in the calf pen, bedding, and even other animals, the introduction of enrichment activities could safely redirect behaviour.

The toys being assessed in the upcoming Elliott trial included balls filled with hay, bouncy balls, and a teething star, Ms Cox said.

The researcher said raising happier and healthier calves was important not just for farmers, but for end consumers too.

“We bond with the cows that we’re taking care of, and it’s important to know that they are happy,” Ms Cox said.

“The enrichment activities in a calf pen can play an important role in achieving this.”

Originally published as Groovin the moo: UTAS bringing fun back into milking sheds during six-week research trial into ‘enrichment toys’ for calves