Personality matters: early resilience starts with understanding the calf

A recent study from the University of Kentucky, published in the Journal of Dairy Science, explored how personality traits affect young calves’ ability to cope with common challenges. The researchers monitored 49 Holstein calves, starting at just four days old, all raised under the same management and nutrition program. Each calf was evaluated for three personality traits: fearfulness, activity level, and curiosity.

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The calves were then observed during three typical early-life stressors: diarrhea, dehorning, and weaning. Using automated calf feeders and leg-mounted accelerometers, scientists tracked feeding behavior and physical activity before, during, and after each event.

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The results revealed a strong connection between personality and behavioral response. Highly fearful calves experienced sharper drops in milk intake and drinking speed following illness, while more active calves showed greater resilience during weaning — with more consistent starter grain intake and fewer unrewarded visits to the autofeeder. These differences demonstrate how personality can impact not only short-term stress responses but also long-term development and productivity.

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Understanding these patterns opens up new possibilities for tailored calf management. Instead of treating all calves the same, farmers can use behavioral insights and precision livestock tools to better support animals during vulnerable stages of growth. This means earlier intervention, less stress, and healthier outcomes for the entire herd.

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At Cattle Care, we know that a cow’s welfare journey begins the moment it’s born. That’s why, since February, we’ve been developing our maternity pen solution — a system designed to provide newborn calves and their mothers with optimal comfort, cleanliness, and safety in those critical first days. Because building a healthier, more resilient herd starts with giving each calf the right care from day one.

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