GROUP-STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE IN CATTLE PRODUCTION - BIOSOCIAL EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE

Even under conditions of large scale production domestic cattle retain social requirements evolved by their free living ancestors. Social behaviour and group structure therefore now require special adaptations and influence performance, especially if the groups of animals are too large or too dense, or when group memberships change. The decision between socially beneficial and socially deleterious rearing strategies is of special importance. For that purpose, a wide range of stress indicators has to be studied and reference systems have to be examined in which the genetically determined potential of performance can be realised. In this way, it can be established whether anonymity can really substitute for a secure social environment.