During the past weeks, I had the unique opportunity to spend time on a Cow–Calf Contact (CCC) dairy farm in Scotland, an experience that has deeply enriched my understanding of animal welfare, sustainable dairy farming, and the practical challenges and benefits of keeping cows and calves together.

Over the last four years, I have focused my research on animal welfare, especially the welfare of dairy cows. Since I was young, I have always wanted to experience living on a dairy farm and become actively involved with its daily activities. Through this experience, I finally had the chance to gain a view of what sustainable dairy farming truly looks like in practice.

Coming from Greece, where such systems are not implemented, I was eager to experience this alternative and ethical approach to dairy farming. The ‘TransformDairyNet’ project allowed me to gain hands-on experience and gather valuable insights that could contribute to the development of our pilot CCC farm in Greece, as part of our Living Lab.

During my stay, I observed how CCC systems promote natural behaviour and improve animal welfare. At the same time, I learned in depth how a dairy farm operates, from management practices to the daily activities required to make such systems function.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Charles, the dairy manager, also known as ‘The Ethical Herdsman’, for his warm welcome and for being my guide throughout this journey. He generously shared his knowledge, experience, and practical insights, helping me understand both the philosophy behind and the everyday realities of running a CCC system.

Special thanks also to all the people on the farm who made me feel welcome and part of the team. Their kindness and willingness to share their daily routines and experiences made this learning experience even more meaningful and enjoyable.

I am also deeply grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Evangelia N. Sossidou, for providing me with this opportunity and encouraging me to explore innovative approaches to dairy sustainability through the ‘TransformDairyNet’ project. Her continuous guidance and support have been invaluable.

Overall, this experience strengthened my belief that the future of dairy farming must combine productivity with compassion. This collaboration showed that through knowledge exchange across countries, we can move towards more ethical and sustainable dairy systems.

Chrysa Adamakopoulou