Wertkalb

Innovative strategies for an ethical added value of calves from organic dairy farming

The specialization of milk production in conventional and organic farming is linked to the production of 'surplus' calves, which have no value or benefit from an ethical or economic point of view. Calves are usually separated from their mothers immediately after birth, are mostly sold between the age of two to five weeks, leave the regional (organic) value chain, and are transported to Northern Germany or abroad to be fattened. This "calf problem" is exemplary for the complexity of technological, economic and social developments and for current animal-ethical aspects of livestock farming.

Innovative and value-adding solution strategies in the areas of animal breeding, animal husbandry and marketing were identified in cooperation with organic farmers, representatives of organic associations, producer and marketing associations, and individual experts in the preliminary phase of the 'WertKalb' project.

These include:

• reduction of the number of calves through extended lactation and intercalving period,
• development and promotion of species-appropriate cow-calf systems (e.g. through cross-financing via milk), and of organic calf fattening farms (e.g. through cooperation with suckler cow farms)
• through the use and breeding of suitable animal genetic resources,
• elimination of the transport problem and strengthen the importance of local production through mobile slaughter units, and
• increasing the demand for organic veal and beef through value-added marketing concepts, such as regional "brother veal" marketing and through the direct distribution to restaurants and catering companies