Despite low response rates to the presented olfactory stimuli in general, we conclude that, at least, the responsive multiparous cows and ‘contact’ heifers were able to perceive the presented calf odour and preferred to sniff/lick those stimuli compared to a stimulus with ‘no’ odour. For conclusive results regarding possible effects of calf-contact, especially in heifers, and the cows’ ability to discriminate between olfactory samples from their own and alien calves, further investigations with larger samples would be needed.