Cow-calf contact (CCC) systems are often discussed in terms of animal welfare, but their effects can extend beyond the animals themselves. How do these systems influence farmers’ wellbeing, work satisfaction and society’s views of dairy farming?

The upcoming TransformDairyNet webinar, Cows, Calves and Citizens: One Welfare in CCC Practice, will explore these connections through scientific findings and practical perspectives. Taking a One Welfare approach, the session will examine how the wellbeing of cows, calves, farmers and citizens is interconnected.

Four speakers will share their expertise:

• Laura Whalin (Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norway) will introduce the One Welfare concept and explore how cow-calf contact may influence human wellbeing.
• Anna Rademann (University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria) will present findings on the relationships between cattle welfare, farmers’ empathy and attitudes, work satisfaction and personal wellbeing.
• Flora von Steimker (University of Göttingen, Germany) will discuss how citizens and dairy farmers perceive the emotions and needs of cows and calves, and how these perceptions shape acceptance of different calf-rearing systems.
• Rachel Annan (University College Dublin, Ireland) will share insights from the UK and Ireland TransformDairyNet Living Lab, focusing on farmers’ experiences and perspectives on wellbeing in CCC systems.

Webinar details

• Date: 10 November 2026
• Time: 14:00–15:30 CET
• Format: Online, via Zoom
• Language: English

The webinar is an opportunity to explore cow-calf contact beyond the animal welfare perspective and consider the wider relationships between animal, farmer and societal wellbeing.

Register for the webinar.

Find out more about the event.