Working together to upscale Cow-Calf-Contact dairy systems

This is farming’s defining decade – feeding the world while transitioning to sustainable net zero food production from farm to fork. As shown in the EU’s Green Deal, society demands sustainable animal-friendly production systems producing high quality food with low environmental impact.  

Dairy farms traditionally separate calves from their mothers shortly after birth, but a new approach called cow-calf contact (CCC), allows them to remain together for months. This method not only promotes the health, growth, and well-being of the animals, but it also aligns with ethical and sustainable practices under the Green Deal initiative. CCC is the most consumer accepted ethical practice for increasing the sustainability of dairy systems. Additionally, CCC systems can deliver a circular economy by increasing resource efficiency and reducing waste. 

Through CCC systems, European Dairy farmers increase productivity, profitability and sustainability with the potential to meet every objective of the Green Deal: cutting greenhouse gas emissions and energy use by half, cutting antibiotic and agro-chemical use by 90%, increasing biodiversity fivefold and net food production by 80%, and excelling in animal welfare – delivering on the aim of net zero. 

About TransformDairyNet

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. 

Facts