Birth traits of pure Holstein calves versus Montbeliarde-sired crossbred calves

Pure Holstein calves and Montbeliarde-sired crossbred calves from multiparous Holstein dams were compared for gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth in 2 research herds of the University of Minnesota. The Montbeliarde-sired calves from multiparous Holstein dams had significantly longer gestation lengths (283.2 d) than Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (278.4 d), and Montbeliarde-sired calves from multiparous Holstein dams had significantly greater calf weight at birth (48.3 kg) compared with Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (43.3 kg). However, calves sired by Montbeliarde bulls were not significantly different from calves sired by Holstein bulls for calving difficulty and stillbirth. In addition, Jersey × Holstein crossbred cows mated to Montbeliarde artificial insemination (AI) bulls were compared with pure Holstein cows mated to Holstein AI bulls for gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth at their first 3 calvings. Gestation length was significantly longer for Jersey × Holstein cows bred to Montbeliarde bulls than for pure Holstein cows bred to Holstein bulls at first calving (280.3 versus 277.7 d) and second and third calving (282.2 versus 278.6 d); however, Jeresy × Holstein cows bred to Montbeliarde AI bulls were not significantly different from pure Holstein cows bred to Holstein AI bulls for calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth at the first 3 calvings.     

Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for calving traits, body weight, backfat thickness, fertility, and body measurements

Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows and pure Holstein cows were compared in a designed experiment. All cows were housed in a freestall barn at the experimental station of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, and calved from July 2005 to August 2008. Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows were mated to Holstein AI bulls for first calving and mated to Fleckvieh artificial insemination (AI) bulls for second and third calvings. Pure Holstein cows were consistently mated to Holstein AI bulls. At first calving, Holstein-sired calves from Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred dams (282 d) had longer gestation length than Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (280 d). For second and third calvings, gestation length was significantly longer for Fleckvieh-sired calves from Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred dams (284 d) than for Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (278 d). Holstein-sired calves from Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred dams (43 kg) and Holstein-sired calves from pure Holstein dams (42 kg) were not significantly different for calf weight at birth for first calving. For second and third calvings, Fleckvieh-sired calves from Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred dams (50 kg) had significantly heavier calf weight at birth than Holstein-sired calves from pure Holstein dams (44 kg). For calving difficulty and stillbirth, Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows were not different from pure Holstein cows at first calving or at second and third calving. Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows (71 d) were not significantly different from pure Holstein cows (75 d) for days to first breeding during first lactation; however, Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows (81 d) had significantly fewer days to first breeding than pure Holstein cows (89 d) during second lactation, and the crossbred cows (85 d) tended to have fewer days to first breeding than pure Holstein cows (92 d) during third lactation. For days open, Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows were not significantly different than pure Holstein cows during any of the first 3 lactations. For body weight, Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows were significantly heavier than pure Holstein cows during first lactation (621 kg versus 594 kg) and second lactation (678 kg versus 656 kg). Also, Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows (18.20 mm) had significantly more backfat thickness than pure Holstein cows (15.81 mm) during first lactation. Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows (48 cm) had significantly greater chest width than pure Holstein cows (46 cm). Furthermore, Brown Swiss × Holstein crossbred cows had significantly longer front heel walls (5.2 cm versus 5.0 cm), significantly longer rear heel walls (4.2 cm versus 4.0 cm), and significantly more depth of the front heel (4.4 cm vs. 4.1 cm) than pure Holstein cows. This study has shown that F₁ of Brown Swiss × Holstein cows are competitive with pure Holstein cows for all traits analyzed here. For fertility, crossbred Brown Swiss × Holstein cows exhibited fewer days to first breeding during second lactation than pure Holstein cows.     

Calving difficulty and stillbirths of pure Holsteins versus crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red

Pure Holstein cows and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred cows were compared for calving difficulty and stillbirth rates. Scandinavian Red was a combination of Norwegian Red and Swedish Red. All cows calved from June 2001 to August 2004 at 7 commercial dairies. Statistical models for analysis included effects of herd-year-season of calving and sex of calf in addition to breed of sire and breed group of dam. Male calves had significantly more calving difficulty and stillbirths than heifer calves. First-calf Holsteins bred to Holstein, Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were used to determine effects of breed of sire. Calves sired by Scandinavian Red bulls (5.5%) and Brown Swiss bulls (12.5%) had significantly less calving difficulty than calves sired by Holstein bulls (16.4%) from Holstein first-calf heifers. Also, fewer stillbirths resulted from use of Scandinavian Red bulls (7.7%) compared with use of Holstein bulls (15.1%) for first-calf Holstein heifers. Scandinavian Red-sired calves (2.1%) had significantly less calving difficulty than Holstein-sired calves (8.4%) for multiparous Holstein dams. Non-Holstein breeds of sire had significantly fewer stillbirths than Holstein sires when mated to multiparous Holstein dams. To determine the effects of breed of dam, 676 pure Holsteins, 262 Normande/Holstein, 370 Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 264 Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred virgin heifers that had been bred to Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were utilized. All groups of crossbred cows had significantly less calving difficulty at first calving than pure Holsteins (3.7 to 11.6% vs. 17.7%). Furthermore, Montbeliarde/Holstein (6.2%) and Scandinavian Red/Holstein (5.1%) crossbreds had significantly lower stillbirth rates at first calving than pure Holsteins (14.0%).     

Birth traits of Holstein calves compared with Holstein,Jersey, Montbéliarde,Normande, and Viking Red-sired crossbred calves

Holstein (HO) calves, 3-breed crossbred calves of Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and HO (MVH), and 3-breed crossbred calves of Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red (NJV) were compared for gestation length (GL), calf weight at birth (CW), calving difficulty (CD), and stillbirth (SB) in 2 research herds at the University of Minnesota. Calves were born from January 2009 to December 2019. For the St. Paul and Morris herds, HO calves (n = 1,121) were compared with MVH calves (n = 1,393) from primiparous and multiparous cows. For the single herd analysis at Morris, HO calves (n = 476), MVH calves (n = 922), and NJV calves (n = 405) were compared from primiparous and multiparous cows. Primiparous and multiparous births were analyzed separately because multiparous cows had multiple births, and CD and SB are likely different traits for primiparous and multiparous cows. Statistical analysis of GL, CW, CD, and SB included fixed effects of sex of calf, herd, breed group of calf, and year-season of calving. For the St. Paul and Morris herds, HO calves from primiparous (278 d) and multiparous (279 d) HO cows had shorter GL compared with MVH calves from primiparous (280 d) and multiparous (282 d) crossbred cows. The HO calves (39.4 and 43.2 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous HO cows had lower CW compared with MVH calves (40.3 and 44.3 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous crossbred cows. Calving difficulty and SB were not different for HO and MVH calves from primiparous and multiparous cows. For the single herd analysis at Morris, HO calves (278 and 279 d, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous HO cows had shorter GL compared with MVH calves (281 and 282 d, respectively) and NJV calves (282 and 282 d, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous crossbred cows. The CW of HO calves (38.6 and 42.0 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous HO cows was lower compared with MVH calves (39.7 and 42.9 kg, respectively), but higher compared with NJV calves (35.1 and 38.0 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous crossbred cows. Calving difficulty and SB did not differ for HO, MVH, and NJV calves from primiparous and multiparous cows. The longer GL for crossbred calves and higher CW for MVH calves did not increase CD and SB for primiparous and multiparous cows. Dairy producers may implement 3-breed rotational crossbreeding systems that include the HO, Jersey, Normande, Montbéliarde, and Viking Red breeds, and some breeds may increase GL and CW without an increase in CD and SB.     

Genetic evaluation of Holstein sires and maternal grandsires in the United States for perinatal survival

Stillbirth, defined as a calf that dies just prior to, during, or within 48 h of parturition, represents a reoccurring concern among breeders of dairy cattle in the United States. About 11% of parturitions of primiparous Holstein cows result in the death of a calf; 5.7% in multiparous cows. Genetic evaluations can be reported as perinatal survival to 48 h to emphasize the positive information about the trait. The purpose of this research was to: 1) estimate genetic parameters by restricted maximum likelihood for perinatal survival rates; 2) characterize the genetic evaluation of sires for the perinatal survival of their progeny and maternal grandsires for the perinatal survival of their daughters progeny; and 3) estimate genetic trends from 1984 to 1994. Data (n = 666,339) were from the National Association of Animal Breeders calving ease database. Over 600 new young sires were available each year. The binomial response variable, 1 = alive, 0 = stillborn within 48 h of parturition was analyzed by using a sire-maternal grandsire linear mixed model. The model included fixed effects for sex of calf, dystocia, and season of birth, and gestation length as a covariate; correlated random effects of sire and maternal grandsire; and uncorrelated random effects of herd-years. Parturitions of primiparous and multiparous cows were analyzed separately. In primiparous cows, heritability estimates were 1.1 and 2.2% for sire of the calf and maternal grandsire, respectively. The genetic correlation between sire and maternal grandsire predicted transmitting ability (PTA) for perinatal survival, was 0.31; simple product moment correlations among sire-MGS PTA were 0.43 and 0.46 for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The PTA for sire of the calf ranged from -2.9 (lower survival) to 2.8% (higher survival). Mean PTA from 1984 to 1994 was quite variable from year to year. Evidence showed a slightly negative, but nonsignificant, genetic trend in perinatal survival (-0.04% per year for sires and -0.02% per year for maternal grandsires). Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic trends for data from multiparous cows are also reported. Correlations among PTA for perinatal survival, milk yield, and calving ease are given.     

Dystocia, stillbirth, gestation length, and birth weight in Holstein, Jersey, and reciprocal crosses from a planned experiment

Holstein and Jersey cows were mated to 4 Holstein (H) bulls and 4 Jersey (J) bulls to create HH, HJ, JH, and JJ genetic groups (sire breed listed first) in a diallele crossbreeding scheme. Calvings (n = 756) occurred in research herds in Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina with 243, 166, 194, and 153 calvings in the HH, HJ, JH, and JJ groups, respectively. Birth weights (BW), dystocia scores (0 for unassisted and 1 for assisted), and stillbirth (0 for alive or 1 for dead within 48 h) were recorded at calving. Gestation lengths (GL) were determined from breeding dates. An animal model was used to analyze BW and GL, and an animal model with logistic regression was used for dystocia and stillbirth. Fixed effects considered for model inclusion were genetic group, herd-year-season, sex, parity (primiparous or multiparous), twin status, and gestation length. Genetic group and effects significant in the model building process were kept in the final model for each trait. Heifer calves had lower BW, shorter GL, and had a lower odds ratio (0.53) for dystocia than bull calves. Twins had lower BW, shorter GL, were 3.86 times more likely to experience dystocia, and 7.80 times more likely to be stillborn than single births. Primiparous cows had calves with lower BW, shorter GL, were 2.50 times more likely to require assistance at birth, and were 2.35 times more likely to produce stillborns than calves from multiparous cows. Genetic group did not affect GL. Least squares means (kg) for BW were 37.7 ± 1.1, 29.1 ± 1.1, 30.3 ± 1.0, and 22.5 ± 1.3 for HH, HJ, JH, and JJ, respectively. Animals in HH weighed more than animals of other genetic groups; the JJ group had the smallest BW, with no differences for BW between HJ and JH. Probability of dystocia in JJ and JH were 5.73% and 18.98% of HH. Calves in HJ and HH were not different for dystocia. Calves in HJ were 3.38 times more likely to be stillborn than calves in JH, but no other genetic group differences were significant for probability of stillbirth. Groups HJ and JH differed for calving traits, with JH crosses experiencing less dystocia than HJ; JJ showed no indication of dystocia. No differences were observed between HH and JJ for stillbirths. Additional investigation of stillbirths in Jerseys is justified.     

Increasing the prepartum dose of rumen-protected choline: Effects of maternal choline supplementation on growth,feed efficiency,and metabolism in Holstein and Holstein × Angus calves

Feeding pregnant cows rumen-protected choline (RPC) may have the potential to affect the growth and health of offspring, but little is known about the optimal dose, or the potential mechanisms of action. The objectives of this experiment were to 1) determine if increasing RPC supplementation during late gestation in multiparous Holstein cows would improve calf growth and 2) determine if maternal choline supplementation alters global DNA methylation patterns. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows (n = 116) were randomly assigned to diets targeting 0g choline ion (0.0 ± 0.000 choline ion, %DM, control; CTL), 15g of choline ion (recommended dose; RD) from an established RPC product (0.10 ± 0.004 choline ion, %DM, RPC1_RD; ReaShure, Balchem Corp.; positive control), or 15g (0.09 ± 0.004 choline ion, %DM, RPC2_RD) or 22g (0.13 ± 0.005 choline ion, %DM, high dose; RPC2_HD) of choline ion from a concentrated RPC prototype (RPC2; Balchem Corp.). Treatments were mixed into a total mixed ration and cows had ad libitum access via a roughage intake control system (Hokofarm Group, Marknesse, Netherlands). All female Holstein (n = 49) and Holstein × Angus calves (male, n = 18; female, n = 30) were enrolled and fed colostrum from a cow within the same treatment. Holstein calves and Holstein × Angus calves were fed an accelerated and traditional milk replacer program, respectively, and offered ad libitum access to calf starter. Jugular vein blood samples were collected, and body weight was measured at 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 d of age. Categorical treatment and continuous effects of actual prepartum maternal choline ion intake were analyzed using mixed effect models. An interaction of treatment with sex, nested within breed, resulted in any choline treatment increasing the proportion of methylated whole blood DNA in male, but not female calves. Although 37% of Holstein calves across all treatments experienced abomasal bloat, no evidence for differences in health measurements (signs of respiratory disease and fecal consistency) were observed across treatments. During the first 2 wk of life in Holstein calves, RPC2_HD tended to increase average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) compared with CTL and increasing maternal choline ion intake linearly increased ADG and FE. Maternal choline supplementation increased plasma glucose compared with CTL, while increasing serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and decreasing serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein at 7 d of age in Holstein calves. In Holstein × Angus calves, the effect of treatment on ADG tended to interact with sex: in males, RPC2_HD increased ADG after 2 wk of life compared with CTL, without evidence of a treatment effect in female calves. Increasing maternal choline ion intake linearly increased ADG after 2 wk of age in male Holstein × Angus calves, while quadratically increasing FE in both sexes. Altered global DNA methylation patterns in male Holstein × Angus calves, and changes in blood metabolites in Holstein calves, provide 2 potential mechanisms for observed improvements in calf growth. Continuous treatment models demonstrated that the effects of maternal choline supplementation are sensitive to the amount of maternal choline ion intake, with greater benefit to calves observed at higher maternal intakes.     

Impacts of dystocia on health and survival of dairy calves

The objectives of this study were to determine incidence of stillbirths and heifer-calf morbidity and mortality, and their association with dystocia on 3 Colorado dairies. A total of 7,380 calvings produced 7,788 calves on 3 Colorado dairy operations between October 1, 2001, and November 5, 2002. Dystocia score and calf status (alive vs. dead) were recorded at calving. Calves that were born alive, but died before 24 h of age, also were recorded as stillborn. Heifer calves were monitored for 120 d to evaluate morbidity and mortality. More than half (51.2%) of calves born to primiparous dams, compared with 29.4% of calves born to multiparous dams, required assistance during calving. A larger percentage of bull calves (40.0%) required assistance compared with heifer calves (33.0%). Proportion of stillborn calves was 8.2% overall, with bull calves, twin calves, calves born to primiparous dams, and those born to dams having dystocia having a larger stillbirth percentage compared with heifer calves, singletons, calves born to multiparous dams, and unassisted calvings, respectively. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate stillbirths and heifer health while accounting for the clustering of calves within dairy. The models included dystocia score, parity, and season of calving as explanatory variables for heifer events and also calf gender, and single or twin birth for the stillbirth models. Heifer calves born to dams having severe dystocia had greater odds of stillbirth [odds ratio (OR) = 20.7] and treatment of respiratory disease (OR = 1.7), digestive disease (OR = 1.3), and overall heifer mortality (OR = 6.7). Calf gender and dam parity interacted with calving ease to affect stillbirths. For calves having severe dystocia, heifer calves and calves born to multiparous dams were at increased risk of stillbirth compared with bull calves and calves born to primiparous dams, respectively. Survival analysis demonstrated that severe dystocia was associated with stillbirths and deaths up to 30 d of age. Relatively simple interventions have the potential to significantly reduce the impact of dystocia on calf mortality and morbidity on dairy farms. Education of farm management and personnel in strategies to reduce dystocia and its effect on calf health should be a priority according to the results of this study.     

Production of pure Holsteins versus crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red

Pure Holsteins (n = 380) were compared to Normande/Holstein crossbreds (n = 245), Montbeliarde/Holstein crossbreds (n = 494), and Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbreds (n = 328) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production during first lactation. Scandinavian Red was a mixture of Swedish Red and Norwegian Red. Cows were housed at 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to January 2005. All Holstein sires and all Holstein maternal grandsires were required to have a code assigned by the National Association of Animal Breeders to assure they were sired by artificial insemination bulls. Daughters of Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red sires were artificial insemination bulls via imported semen. Best prediction was used to calculate actual production (milk, fat, and protein) for 305-d lactations. Adjustment was made for age at calving and milking frequency, and records less than 305 d were projected to 305 d. Herd-year-season (4-mo seasons) and the genetic level of each cow's Holstein maternal grandsire were included in the model for statistical analysis. Pure Holsteins had significantly higher milk (9,757 kg) and protein (305 kg) production than all crossbred groups, but pure Holsteins (346 kg) were not significantly different from Scandinavian Red/Holstein (340 kg) crossbreds for fat production. Fat plus protein production was used to gauge the overall productivity of pure Holsteins vs. crossbreds. The Scandinavian Red/Holstein (637 kg) crossbreds were not significantly different from the pure Holstein (651 kg) for fat plus protein production; however, the Normande/Holstein (596 kg) and the Montbeliarde/Holstein crossbreds (627 kg) had significantly lower fat plus protein production than pure Holsteins.     

Metabolic regulation in Danish bull calves and the relationship to the fertility of their female offspring

The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic variation of free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, growth hormone (GH), and insulin in juvenile male dairy calves and to assess the relationships, if present, with the fertility of their female offspring. This study used data from 1,498 (269.5 d of age ± 11.1) male calves from a multiple ovulation and embryo transfer breeding scheme (data collected from 1997 to 2002). Calves were Danish Holstein (n = 1,047), Danish Jersey (n = 200), and Red Dane (n = 251), and were sampled following an overnight fast at approximately 9 mo of age. Plasma samples were assayed for basal FFA, glucose, GH, and insulin. Estimated breeding values of female fertility (high values indicating better fertility), based on progeny-test results for approximately 100 daughters per sire, were available for a subset (n = 810) of the male calves as adult sires. Data from Danish Holstein alone or Danish Holstein, Red Dane, and Danish Jersey combined (all breeds) were analyzed for each trait. In both data sets, the estimates of heritabilities of glucose (0.27 ± 0.06), FFA (0.11 ± 0.05), and insulin (0.21 ± 0.06) were moderate, and that of GH (0.09 ± 0.05) was low. Correlations of estimated breeding values for fertility traits with glucose and FFA breeding values were negative, indicating that male calves with high glucose or FFA had female offspring with reduced fertility. Selection for bull calves with lower concentrations of glucose and FFA following an overnight fast could result in female offspring with genetically better fertility. Glucose and FFA may therefore be of interest to enhance selection for improved female fertility, as a measurement in young bulls.     

Fertility responses of Mexican Holstein cows to US sire selection

Genetic relationships between 2 fertility traits and milk production were investigated using mature-equivalent lactation records of 55,162 daughters of 1,339 Holstein sires in Mexico and 499,401 daughters of 663 Holstein sires in the northeastern United States. Data sets contained yields in first and second lactation, age at first calving (AFC), and calving interval (CI). There were 474 US sires in common between countries. A herd-year standard deviation criterion defined nonoverlapping low- (≤ 1,300 kg) and high- (≥ 1,600 kg) opportunity Mexican herd environments and a low-opportunity (≤ 1,024 kg) US environment. Genetic variances for the average Mexican herd (all data) for AFC and CI were 65 and 85% as large as those obtained from half-sisters in the average US herd. Genetic correlations for first-lactation milk in the average US herd and AFC and CI in the average Mexican environment were unfavorable (0.18 and 0.10). Regression coefficients of AFC in Mexican environments on US genetic gain in milk ranged from 2 to 7 d/1,000 kg. However, the favorable predicted response in AFC from genetic gain in milk in Mexican environments, like those in average US herds, ranged from − 4 to − 7 d/1,000 kg (r_g = − 0.20). This unequal AFC response may indicate genotype by environment interaction in fitness performance or differential breeding management of high and low yielding Mexican cows. The potential effects of age at first service of breeding females need to be disentangled to accurately assess genetic improvement needs for Mexican Holstein herds.     

Fertility and survival of pure Holsteins versus crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red

First-calf pure Holsteins and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbreds were compared for days to first breeding, first-service conception rate, days open, and survival. First-calf heifers were in 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to October 2004. Holsteins were required to have a recorded sire with a National Association of American Breeders code to assure they were sired by artificially inseminated bulls. Normande-, Montbeliarde-, and Scandinavian Red-sired crossbreds were all daughters of artificially inseminated bulls via imported semen. For days open, first-calf heifers were required to be at least 250 d in milk and those with greater than 250 d open were truncated to 250 d. Least squares means for days to first breeding were 69 d for Holsteins, 62 d for Normande/Holstein, 65 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 66 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbreds, and differed significantly from pure Holsteins for Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein crossbreds. First-service conception rates were 22% for Holsteins, 35% for Normande/Holstein, 31% for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 30% for Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbreds and, again, differences from Holstein were significant for the Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein crossbreds. Least squares means for days open were 150 ± 4.1 d for pure Holsteins, 123 ± 3.8 d for Normande/Holstein, 131 ± 4.4 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 129 ± 4.6 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbreds, and all 3 cross-bred groups had significantly fewer days open than pure Holsteins. Three measures of survival were to 30, 150, and 305 d postpartum, and all crossbred groups survived significantly longer than pure Holsteins during first lactation for all 3 measures of survival. Least squares means for survival to 30 d postpartum were significantly different for pure Holsteins (95%) vs. all crossbred groups (98%), were significantly different for survival to 150 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (91%) vs. all crossbred groups (96%), and were significantly different for survival to 305 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (86%) vs. all crossbred groups (92 or 93%).     

Production and calving traits of Montbéliarde × Holstein and Viking Red × Holstein cows compared with pure Holstein cows during first lactation in 8 commercial dairy herds

Montbéliarde (MO) × Holstein (HO) and Viking Red (VR) × HO crossbred cows were compared with pure HO cows in 8 large, high-performance dairy herds. All cows were either 2-breed crossbred or pure HO cows that calved for the first time from December 2010 to April 2014. Best Prediction was used to calculate 305-d milk, fat, and protein production, as well as somatic cell score, and 513 MO × HO, 540 VR × HO, and 978 HO cows were analyzed for production in first lactation. Calving difficulty was scored from 1 (no assistance) to 5 (extreme difficulty). The analysis of calving traits included 493 MO × HO, 504 VR × HO, and 971 HO cows at first calving. Age at first calving was similar for breed groups, and the herds calved both crossbred (23.8 mo) and HO (23.9 mo) cows at young ages. The MO × HO crossbred cows had +3% higher production of 305-d fat plus protein production (actual basis, not mature equivalent) than the HO cows, and the VR × HO were similar to the HO cows for fat plus protein production. Breed groups did not differ for SCS during first lactation. The VR-sired 3-breed crossbred calves (from MO × HO dams) were similar to pure HO calves for calving difficulty; however, MO-sired male calves born to VR × HO dams had a mean score that was +0.5 points higher for calving difficulty than pure HO male calves. The 3-breed crossbred calves from both MO × HO (4%) and VR × HO (5%) first-lactation dams had a much lower stillbirth rate compared with pure HO calves (9%) from first-lactation dams.     

Immune responses of Holstein and Jersey calves during the preweaning and immediate postweaned periods when fed varying planes of milk replacer

The objective was to determine the influence of breed and planes of preweaned milk replacer (MR) nutrition on the immune responses of pre- and postweaned dairy calves. Forty-two bull calves (n = 20 Holstein and n = 22 Jersey, 2 ± 1 d old) were studied. Holstein and Jersey calves came from separate dairies. Calves were fed either a higher plane of MR nutrition or a lower plane of MR nutrition. Holstein and Jersey calves on the lower planes of MR nutrition were fed 454 g (as fed)/d of a 20% crude protein (CP)/20% fat MR. Holstein calves on the higher plane of MR nutrition were fed 810 and 1,180 g (as fed)/d of a 28% CP/20% fat MR for wk 1 and wk 2 to 6, respectively. Jersey calves on the higher plane of nutrition were fed 568 and 680 g (as fed)/d of a 28% CP/25% fat MR for wk 1 and wk 2 to 6, respectively. On d 4, 42, and 77, peripheral blood was collected for ex vivo immunological analyses, and on d 7 all calves were challenged subcutaneously with commercially available lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli (4 µg/kg of body weight); clinical and biochemical responses were evaluated at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 72 h. We observed a breed difference in total serum protein, wherein Jersey calves had higher concentrations than Holsteins. Holsteins and calves fed the higher plane of MR nutrition had greater glucose concentrations following the LPS challenge. With the exception of plasma haptoglobin concentrations at 24 h postchallenge, we observed no treatment × time interactions following the LPS challenge. Calves fed higher planes of MR nutrition had greater plasma haptoglobin concentrations 24 h following the LPS challenge. Isolated mononuclear cells from Holstein calves secreted more tumor necrosis factor-α than did cells from Jersey calves when stimulated ex vivo with LPS on d 77. In addition, when whole blood was incubated with a live enteropathogenic E. coli culture, blood from Holsteins had a greater killing capacity than did whole blood from Jerseys. Calves fed higher planes of MR nutrition had greater neutrophil oxidative burst intensities at d 77 when cocultured with E. coli for 10 min. In addition, Jersey calves fed the lower plane of MR nutrition had reduced neutrophil oxidative burst capacity and whole blood E. coli killing at d 77 compared with the other groups. These data indicate that Jersey calves had lower measures of many innate immune variables despite likely having greater passive transfer, as evidenced by greater total serum protein concentrations. Furthermore, feeding a higher plane of MR nutrition to Jersey calves improved some postweaning innate immune responses.     

Genetic variation of metabolite and hormone concentration in UK Holstein-Friesian calves and the genetic relationship with economically important traits

The decline of dairy cattle fertility worldwide remains a major concern, with conception rates to first service commonly below 40%. The length and severity of negative energy balance postpartum are unfavorably correlated with fertility, suggesting that the length and severity of negative energy balance and fertility are linked via several hormones or metabolites. These compounds therefore have the potential to predict fertility at a genetic level. The addition of a predictor trait for fertility into present fertility indices would accelerate genetic gain, particularly if it was expressed before adulthood. The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic variation in several metabolites and hormones in calves, and to determine their genetic relationships with fertility and production through sire predicted transmitting abilities (PTA; sires of calves sampled). Circulating concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, growth hormone (GH), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in male and female UK Holstein-Friesian dairy calves (average age ± SD; 126 ± 12.7 d) were analyzed during 2 studies: data set 1 (n = 496 females; 1996-2001; 7 commercial dairy herds) and data set 2 (n = 326 females, n = 256 males; 2002-2006; multiple ovulation and embryo transfer breeding scheme). Univariate mixed models were fitted to the data using ASREML. Basal concentrations of FFA, glucose, GH, insulin and total IGF-1 were all moderately heritable in both sexes (heritability range ± SE; 0.09 ± 0.05 to 0.66 ± 0.14). The sire PTA for protein percentage had significant regression coefficients and approximate genetic correlations with FFA and insulin, and the sire PTA for calving interval had significant regression coefficients and approximate genetic correlations with GH. Additive genetic variance seems responsible for a moderate proportion of the phenotypic variation in important metabolites and regulatory hormones in male and female UK Holstein-Friesian dairy calves, therefore supporting further investigation into their use as juvenile predictors for fertility in the mature female.     

The addition of cottonseed hulls to the starter and supplementation of live yeast or mannanoligosaccharide in the milk for young calves

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of the addition of cottonseed hulls (CSH) to the starter and the supplementation of live yeast product (YST) or mannanoligosaccharide product (MOS) to milk, on growth, intake, rumen development, and health parameters in young calves. Holstein (n = 116) and Jersey (n = 46) bull (n = 74) and heifer (n = 88) calves were assigned randomly within sex at birth to treatments. All calves were fed 3.8 L of colostrum daily for the first 2 d. Holstein calves were fed 3.8 L of whole milk, and Jersey calves were fed 2.8 L of whole milk through weaning at 42 d. Calves continued on trial through 63 d. Six treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial. Calves received either a corn-soybean meal-based starter (21% crude protein and 6% acid detergent fiber; −CSH) or a blend of 85% corn-soybean meal-based starter and 15% CSH (18% crude protein and 14% acid detergent fiber; +CSH) ad libitum. In addition, calves received whole milk with either no supplement (NONE) or supplemented with 3 g/d of mannanoligosaccharide product (MOS) or 4 g/d of live yeast product (YST) through weaning at 42 d. Twelve Holstein steers [n = 6 (per starter type); n = 4 (per supplement type)] were euthanized for collection and examination of rumen tissue samples. Dry matter intake (DMI) was greater for Holstein calves fed +CSH (0.90 kg/d) than −CSH (0.76 kg/d). Final body weight at 63 d of Holstein calves fed +CSH (75.8 kg) was greater than that of those fed −CSH (71.0 kg). Average daily gain (ADG) was greater for Holstein calves fed +CSH (0.58 kg/d) than −CSH (0.52 kg/d). However, Holstein calves fed −CSH had a greater feed efficiency (FE; 0.71 kg of ADG/kg of DMI) than those fed +CSH (0.65 kg of ADG/kg of DMI). Also, Holstein calves fed +CSH had narrower rumen papillae (0.32 mm) compared with those fed −CSH (0.41 mm). There were no significant effects of CSH on DMI, ADG, or FE in Jersey calves. There were no significant effects of YST or MOS on DMI, ADG, FE, or rumen papillae measures in Holstein calves. Jersey calves fed YST or MOS had greater final body weight at 63 d (51.2 kg and 51.0 kg, respectively) than calves fed NONE (47.5 kg). However, there were no significant effects of YST or MOS on DMI, ADG, or FE in Jersey calves.     

Assessment of calving progress and reference times for obstetric intervention during dystocia in Holstein dairy cows

The objectives of this observational study were (1) to assess the time from the appearance of the amniotic sac (AS) or feet outside the vulva to birth in Holstein cows (primiparous and multiparous) with (dystocia) or without assistance (eutocia) at calving, and (2) to estimate reference times to be used as guidelines for obstetric intervention in Holstein cows that need assistance during difficult births. Cows (n = 92) from 1 commercial dairy operation were used in this study. Periparturient dairy cows (primiparous, n = 58; multiparous, n = 34) were placed in a maternity pen and constantly monitored until birth. The calving ease of cows, time from AS or feet appearance to birth, calving progress from a subset of 15 cows (frequency and duration of abdominal contractions during labor), calf birth weight, calf sex, and stillbirths (born dead or died within 24 h after birth) were recorded. The reference times for obstetric intervention during dystocia were estimated based on values from unassisted births (normal). The normal range of times from the appearance of AS or feet outside the vulva to birth was estimated based on the mean + 2 standard deviations (SD) of unassisted births. According to farm protocol, assistance was provided to cows without calving progress 80 min after AS appearance or earlier (e.g., to correct malpositions). Cows with dystocic births had a longer time from AS appearance to birth and increased incidence of stillbirth compared with cows with eutocic calvings. After the appearance of the AS, calving progress was evident every 15 min for eutocic births. The estimated reference times (mean + 2 SD) from AS appearance to birth were 69.7 min and from feet appearance to birth were 64.6 min for eutocic births. Findings from this study suggested that calving personnel should start assisting cows 70 min after AS appearance (or 65 min after feet appearance) outside the vulva. The time spent in labor (straining) combined with the time from the appearance of the AS or feet to birth, and the assessment of calving progress (as described for eutocic births) should be used as guidelines for obstetric intervention during difficult births under field conditions. These reference times should be interpreted in combination with adequate obstetrical knowledge and examination.     

Anionic salts in the prepartum diet and addition of sodium bicarbonate to colostrum replacer, and their effects on immunoglobulin G absorption in the neonate

The objectives of this experiment were to determine whether feeding anionic salts to prepartum Holstein cows affected their calf's colostral IgG passive transfer and whether adding sodium bicarbonate to a colostrum replacer (CR) would increase the efficiency of IgG absorption. Forty Holstein cows and their resulting calves were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design based on expected date of calving. Three weeks before the projected due date, cows were placed on 1 of 2 treatments: a diet without anionic salts (dietary cation-anion difference of +77 mEq/kg) or a diet with anionic salts (dietary cation-anion difference of −100 mEq/kg). Within 45 min after birth, all calves received 1 dose of a commercially available CR (132 g of IgG) without or with supplemental sodium bicarbonate (19.5 g/dose). A half-dose of CR (66 g of IgG) and sodium bicarbonate (9.75 g) was fed at 6 h of age. Calves received milk replacer at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Blood samples were obtained from calves at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h and were analyzed for IgG concentration. Cows fed the diet supplemented with anionic salts had lower DMI on d 8, 5, 4, and 1 and lower urine pH 2 and 1 wk before parturition compared with cows fed the diet without supplemental anionic salts. Calves born from dams receiving anionic salts had similar IgG concentrations (15.1 vs. 14.4 g/L) and apparent efficiency of absorption values (29.2 vs. 28.2%) compared with calves born from dams not fed anionic salts. Calves receiving supplemental sodium bicarbonate in the CR had higher serum IgG concentrations at 12 (14.4 vs. 12.0 g/L), 24 (16.3 vs. 13.2 g/L), and 48 h (14.6 vs. 11.2 g/L) and higher apparent efficiency of absorption values (31.2 vs. 26.1%) than calves that did not receive sodium bicarbonate in the CR. Calves receiving sodium bicarbonate also had greater area under the curve values for IgG absorption compared with calves not receiving sodium bicarbonate. There was a trend for an interaction with calves born from dams fed anionic salts having a greater area under the curve when fed supplemental sodium bicarbonate. Of the 40 calves in the study, 90% obtained adequate passive transfer (serum IgG ≥10 g/L). This study indicates that feeding anionic salts to the dam has no effect on passive transfer, whereas adding sodium bicarbonate to the CR increased IgG uptake in calves.     

Health and performance of Holstein calves that suckled or were hand-fed colostrum and were fed one of three physical forms of starter

Intake of colostrum by neonatal calves and early transition to calf starter are two important factors in successful calf programs. Thirty-one Holstein calves were used to determine health and performance of calves that were 1) allowed to remain with their dams for 3 d and suckle (suckled calves) or were removed from their dams and fed colostrum only by bottle (bottle calves); and were 2) fed ground, pelleted, or textured starters, formulated to be isonitrogenous. Bottle calves were removed from their dams at birth, fed 2.84 L of colostrum, placed in individual hutches, and fed 1.89 L of colostrum 12 h after the first feeding. Suckled calves were removed from their dams after 3 d and placed in individual hutches. Once calves were housed in hutches, they were fed 2 L of whole milk twice daily and were provided starters and water beginning on d 3. Calves were weighed at birth and weekly for 6 wk. Blood samples were obtained at birth, 24 h, and weekly for serum protein determination. Starter intake, fecal scores, and electrolyte treatments were recorded daily. Weaning began when calves had consumed 0.68 kg starter for 2 d consecutively. There were no differences in treatment means between suckled and bottle calves for total gain, grain consumption, days with fecal scores >2, or electrolyte treatments per calf. Average days to weaning was greater for bottle calves compared with suckled calves. Mean serum protein concentration at 24 h was greater for bottle (6.0 g/dl) compared with suckled calves (5.8 g/dl) and only 2 of 15 bottle calves had serum protein concentrations <5.0 g/dl compared with 6 of 16 suckled calves. For starter treatments, calves fed textured starter consumed more total grain, were weaned earlier, and weighed more at 6 wk of age than calves fed pelleted starter. Based on 24-h serum protein concentrations, transfer of passive immunity was greater for bottle calves compared with suckled calves.     

Effect of serum calcium status at calving on survival,health, and performance of postpartum Holstein cows and calves under certified organic management

The study objective was to assess the effect of hypocalcemia (HYPO; ≤2.0 mmol/L) of the dam at calving on survival, health, and performance of lactating dairy cows and their calves under certified organic management. Prepartum dairy cows (primiparous, n = 445; multiparous, n = 328) from 1 dairy herd were monitored (prepartum pen) for imminent signs of parturition (appearance of amniotic sac outside the vulva) until birth. All calves were subject to the same newborn care, colostrum management, and failure of passive transfer assessment (serum total protein ≤5.5 mg/dL). Serum total calcium of cows was determined in samples taken within 2 h after calving. To define HYPO cows after calving, a cut-point of total serum Ca concentration with optimal sensitivity and specificity to predict metritis or calf diarrhea was established by using the receiver operator characteristic. The effect of HYPO on survival (died or culled within 60 DIM), health status, and pregnancy per artificial insemination (PAI) for first services of lactating cows were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Additionally, the effect of HYPO at calving on days in milk (DIM) at first service (DIMFS), milk yield (kg), milk components (percent fat and protein), and somatic cell count were analyzed for the first 3 Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) tests using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The effect of parity (primiparous and multiparous), body condition score at calving, and manure hygiene score at calving were also included in the statistical models. The effect of HYPO at calving on calf survival, serum total protein, and diarrhea within 10 d of age were assessed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. The overall prevalence of HYPO was 14.6% (2.7% for primiparous and 30.8% for multiparous cows). Cows experiencing HYPO at calving had greater proportion of metritis (25.1 vs. 14.7%) and culling within 60 DIM (15.9 vs. 6.8%) compared with non-HYPO cows, respectively. For the first 3 DHIA tests, milk yield and components did not differ between HYPO and non-HYPO cows. The DIMFS as well as proportion of cows with dystocia, births of twins, mastitis, and PAI at first service were not different between HYPO and non-HYPO cows. The proportion of stillbirth, weaned calves, and serum total protein did not differ between calves born from HYPO or non-HYPO cows. However, calves born from HYPO cows had greater incidence of diarrhea (49%) than calves born (33.3%) from non-HYPO cows. Findings from the present study showed that HYPO at calving had significant health implications for both dams and calves under certified organic management.