Emily Miller-Cushon has found that if young dairy calves live together, they develop better social skills and may produce more milk as an adult. A cow’s ability to adapt depends on their ability to learn and interact with other cows.

“The most common way to raise dairy calves from birth is in individual pens, but providing early social contact may improve the long-term welfare of these animals. This should benefit sustainability of the dairy industry as a whole, improving consumer perceptions and having economic benefits for producers,” Miller-Cushon said.