Cow-calf separation 

• Due to the lack of consistent scientific evidence, more research is needed to provide further evidence of how early separation versus prolonged contact with the dam affects the risk of:
  • calf scours, Johne’s disease, calf respiratory disease, failure of passive transfer to the calf, calf morbidity and mortality, and milk yield.
• Research is needed to develop practical, best management practices for prolonged cow-calf contact. 

Housing and facilities 

• How stocking densities in automatic milking systems and bedded pack systems affect social interactions and opportunity for movement.
• How understocking at the lying stall affects how cows express social preferences.
• Impact of increased movement on dairy cattle health and welfare, including ideal frequencies and durations of freedom of movement (either in less restrictive indoor housing and/or at pasture). 
• The true effect of outdoor access alone on health and welfare outcomes, including the frequency and severity of injuries. 

Pain control for painful conditions and procedures 

• Assess the use of sedatives to reduce the stress response to disbudding.
• Assess the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy for cows experiencing dystocia and for calves born from a dystocia.
• Determine the impact of NSAID treatment for pain in mild to moderate clinical mastitis.
• Determine the efficacy of NSAID therapy for metritis through assessment of changes in behavioural and physiologic outcomes associated with pain. 

Lameness and injuries 

• Quantify the impact of hoof trimming (including the type of method and quality of the trim) on lameness, hoof and leg health, and gait outcomes.
• Determine the best methods to resolve chronic cases of lameness.
• Explore the recovery and remediation time associated with different treatment methods to manage injuries.
• Understand the best strategy to mitigate pain caused by lameness.
• Understand pain that occurs as a result of the process of therapeutic trimming where the cow’s legs are placed in potentially injury-inducing positions.
• Understand the motivations and priorities of producers with respect to the prevention and control of lameness. 

Other 

• General management of surplus calves.
• Management of lactation persistency and potential for extended lactations.
• Best methods for cessation of milking.