Élise Bouchard
Project Title: Welfare of Calves in Irish Dairy and Dairy-to-Beef Farms
Biography: I am a PhD student within the WELcalf project, which aims to assess and improve the health and welfare of calves on dairy farms, dairy-to-beef farms, and those transported to continental Europe. My research focuses specifically on calf welfare in Irish dairy and dairy-to-beef farms.
I am conducting a survey of Irish farmers to understand how calves are managed, including feeding practices before and after weaning, weaning management, housing, hygiene, and health care. Alongside the surveys, I carry out on-farm visits to collect environmental measurements, observe calf behaviour through specific tests, and assess calf health using methods such as blood sampling and calf health scoring.
A key part of my research is exploring how farmers perceive calf welfare—how they define and evaluate it, and what challenges or barriers they face in improving it. By combining these data, I aim to identify areas for improvement in calf management and contribute to strategies that enhance calf welfare across Irish farms.
This research is important not only for improving animal health and productivity but also for supporting sustainable and ethically responsible farming practices.
Teagasc email: elise.bouchard@teagasc.ie
University email: elise.bouchard@ucdconnect.ie
Teagasc Research Programme: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Programme
Teagasc Research Location: Moorepark
Name of your University: UCD
Teagasc Supervisor: Dr Emer Kennedy
Funder: Teagasc