Hair cortisol as a non-invasive method for chronic stress monitoring in cattle

Hair cortisol analysis offers a non-invasive method to assess chronic stress in calves, with the tail's last third being the optimal sample site. Elevated and rising cortisol levels at 21 and 56 days post-birth correlate with disease, indicating early stress. This approach enables long-term stress monitoring, supports timely interventions, and enhances herd health management in sustainable livestock farming, aligning with animal welfare goals.