In this Research Reflection we review management practices in small family farms with less than 100 cows. Small farms represent the majority of farms in the EU and the world, and they are of great importance for the economy of a country. On cattle farms, the welfare of calves is of primary importance for the profitability of the herd, and poor management is one of the main factors influencing calf health and survival. Data on the risk factors for calf welfare issues in small-scale farms are limited. For this purpose, the literature data from six world countries were presented and compared, including Serbia and Slovenia where a survey related to the issue was carried out within the COST Action FA1308, DairyCare. Some practices within the following areas in calf management were considered: calving management, care for new-born calves, use of painful procedures, colostrum management, cow–calf separation, calf feeding, weaning, calf housing, and general monitoring. In each of the countries, the health and welfare of calves are threatened by some omissions in rearing practices and the major are related to the new-born calf management, the feeding and watering management, and the application of hygienic measures. Many farmers are well aware of the importance of proper calf rearing; others would need more incentive to improve calf management. Each country should pay attention to the education of farmers about the most common deficiencies in calf management.

中文翻译：

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影响小型家庭农场小牛福利的管理实践

在本研究回顾中，我们回顾了奶牛数量少于 100 头的小型家庭农场的管理实践。小农场代表了欧盟和世界的大多数农场，它们对一个国家的经济非常重要。在养牛场，小牛的福利对牛群的盈利能力至关重要，而管理不善是影响小牛健康和生存的主要因素之一。关于小规模农场小牛福利问题风险因素的数据有限。为此目的，提供并比较了来自六个世界国家的文献数据，其中包括塞尔维亚和斯洛文尼亚，在 COST 行动 FA1308，DairyCare 中进行了与该问题相关的调查。考虑了以下犊牛管理领域的一些做法：产犊管理、新生犊牛护理、使用痛苦的程序、初乳管理、母牛与小牛分离、小牛喂养、断奶、小牛圈养和一般监测。在每个国家，犊牛的健康和福利都因饲养实践中的一些疏忽而受到威胁，主要与新生犊牛管理、喂养和饮水管理以及卫生措施的应用有关。许多农民都清楚正确饲养犊牛的重要性。其他人则需要更多的激励来改善小牛管理。每个国家都应该注意对农民进行关于犊牛管理中最常见缺陷的教育。犊牛的健康和福利因饲养实践中的一些疏忽而受到威胁，主要与新生犊牛管理、饲喂和饮水管理以及卫生措施的应用有关。许多农民都清楚正确饲养犊牛的重要性。其他人则需要更多的激励来改善小牛管理。每个国家都应该注意对农民进行关于犊牛管理中最常见缺陷的教育。犊牛的健康和福利因饲养实践中的一些疏忽而受到威胁，主要与新生犊牛管理、饲喂和饮水管理以及卫生措施的应用有关。许多农民都清楚正确饲养犊牛的重要性。其他人则需要更多的激励来改善小牛管理。每个国家都应该注意对农民进行关于犊牛管理中最常见缺陷的教育。