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J. Dairy Sci. TBC:1–13 JDS2586 doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2586 © American Dairy Science Association® , TBC. An advisory tool to improve management practices affecting calf and heifer welfare on dairy farms 1 E. Vasseur,*† J. Rushen,† A. M. de Passillé,† D. Lefebvre,‡ and D. Pellerin* *Animal Sciences Department, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada, G1K 7P4 †Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada, V0M 1A0 ‡Valacta, Dairy Production Centre of Expertise Quebec-Atlantic, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, H9X 3R4 ABSTRACT usefulness of our tool as an advisory tool for technical advisors and veterinarians. Six months after the on- We developed an advisory tool addressing 10 critical farm visit, recommended practices were implemented in areas of calf and heifer management, including calving many of these areas. Voluntary improvements in animal management, care to newborn calves and painful pro- welfare can be facilitated by using appropriate tools to cedures, colostrum management, cow-calf separation, educate producers and help them change their attitudes calf feeding, weaning, calf housing, heifer feeding, heifer toward calf management and animal welfare. housing, and general monitoring. Targets and indicators Key words: on-farm tool, welfare, management, calf for each critical area were validated by a panel of experts and maximum scores were assigned based on experts’ INTRODUCTION opinions and reviews of scientific lite