Social interactions can impact feeding time, ruminating time and water intake.

Social interactions are often highest when fresh feed is offered or right after milking. Social interactions are also more of a problem when alleys are narrow and cows have difficulty passing other cows.

Social interactions are part of natural herd behavior. But it is important to have good conditions in the barn, such as space at the feeding area, space around water bowls or troughs and enough good stalls for cows to rest in. With good barn conditions social interactions will have less influence on milk production.

The more similar cows are to one another in a group, the fewer social problems will occur. There will be less of a negative effect from overcrowding if:

• cows can be easily and rapidly moved to and from the parlor

• the ration is fed and supplied often throughout the day

• the cows in the group are fairly similar

Grooming
Cattle have a distinct urge to lick and be licked by their peers. Licking behavior is normal. All the animals in a group are licked but not all the animals lick. Animals of similar rank lick each other more often than animals of very different ranks. Social licking is often associated with a change of activities, such as before or after a rest. Licking seems to have a calming effect after cattle have been disturbed. Cattle need social grooming and if this need cannot be met because the animal is tethered or confined – the need accumulates and will result in intensified grooming activity as soon as the possibility arises.

Bulling
The best indicator of estrus is when any cow or heifer repeatedly stands and accepts mounting by one of her herdmates. Unfortunately, they do not do this on demand. Those responsible for estrus detection must watch for this behavior and combine what they see with their own previous knowledge/experience to decide whether to inseminate or not. The social order of precedence is interrupted by cows in heat as they threaten both dominating and subordinate herd members.

Pasture situation
Cows are herd animals and accustomed to doing things in groups. When dominant cows start grazing, the other cows will follow. That is why you will see the whole herd of cattle grazing at the same moment.

Space/freedom
Limited space is one of the main reasons for aggression among cattle. If space is limited, cows will often meet each other at very close range with limited escape options.  EL