Risk factors associated with mortality at a milk-fed veal calf facility: A prospective cohort study

The veal industry experiences calf losses during the growing period, which represents a challenge to animal welfare and profitability. Health status at arrival may be an important predictor of calf mortality. The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to describe the health status of calves arriving at a veal farm and determine the risk factors associated with early and late mortality. Using a standardized health scoring system, calves were evaluated immediately at arrival to a commercial milk-fed veal facility in Ontario, Canada. Weight at arrival and supplier of the calf were recorded. The calves were followed until death or the end of their production cycle. Two Cox proportional hazard models were built to explore factors associated with early (≤21 d following arrival) and late mortality (>21 d following arrival). A total of 4,825 calves were evaluated from November 2015 to September 2016. The overall mortality risk was 7%, with 42% of the deaths occurring in the first 21 d after arrival. An abnormal navel, dehydration, housing location within the farm, arriving in the summer, and the presence of a sunken flank were associated with increased hazard of early mortality. Drover-derived calves and calves with a greater body weight at arrival had lower hazard of early mortality. Housing location within the farm, being derived from auction facilities, and an abnormal navel were associated with higher hazard of late mortality. These results demonstrate that risk factors for mortality can be identified at arrival, which represents a potential opportunity to selectively intervene on these calves to reduce mortality. However, methods of preventing the development of these conditions before arrival need to be explored and encouraged to improve the welfare of the calves entering the veal industry.     

Effect of health status evaluated at arrival on growth in milk-fed veal calves: A prospective single cohort study

The objective of this prospective single cohort study was to determine the effect of health status at arrival on growth in milk-fed veal calves. Upon arrival at the veal facility, calves were evaluated using a standardized health scoring system and weighed, and the supplier of the calf was recorded. The calves were followed until slaughter, when the hot carcass weight (HCW) was reported. To calculate average daily gain (ADG), the HCW was transformed into an estimated live weight, weight at arrival was subtracted, and this value was divided by the number of days on feed. A mixed linear regression model was created to evaluate the association of health status on arrival with the ADG throughout the production period. A total of 4,825 calves were evaluated at arrival; however, due to inconsistent HCW data from one slaughter plant, and 357 calves dying during the production period, 2,283 calves were used for analysis. In the final model, 7 variables were significantly associated with ADG. Housing location within the farm, method of calf procurement (drover or auction-derived calves versus direct delivery from local farms) and having a higher body weight at arrival were associated with a higher ADG. The season of arrival (summer or fall compared with winter) and being dehydrated at arrival were associated with a lower ADG. Days on feed was also significant in the multivariable model and had a quadratic relationship with ADG. The associations identified suggest that there may be value in scoring dehydration and body weight at arrival to a veal facility.     

Risk factors identified on arrival associated with morbidity and mortality at a grain-fed veal facility: A prospective,single-cohort study

High levels of morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial use are common in the veal industry. For the sustainability of the industry, it is important to address these challenges and determine factors that can be used to improve animal health and welfare. The objectives of this prospective observational cohort study were to describe the health status of calves on arrival at a grain-fed veal facility and determine characteristics that were associated with morbidity and mortality. On arrival, the calves were assessed for health abnormalities, weighed, measured for hip height and length from withers to lumbosacral junction, and had blood collected to determine serum total protein level. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using weight on arrival divided by the sum of the calf's length from withers to lumbosacral junction and hip height. The calves were observed for 77 d after arrival, during which the producer was responsible for recording all antibiotic treatments and mortality. We built Cox proportional hazard models for morbidity and mortality variables. We created 2 morbidity models: 1 for calves that were treated <21 d after arrival at the facility, and 1 for calves that were treated during the 11 wk at the facility. From January to December 2017, 998 calves were evaluated on arrival at the veal rearing facility. A large proportion (68%) were treated with antibiotics in the first 21 d after arrival. The only explanatory variable in the final <21 d morbidity model was BMI: calves with a higher BMI had a lower hazard of being treated for disease in the first 21 d after arrival. A total of 872 calves (87%) were treated at least once over the 11-wk housing period. A calf arriving with a BMI >371.46 g/cm or a serum total protein between 5.8 and 6.2 g/dL had a lower level of morbidity during the observation period. Over the 11-wk housing period, 74 calves (7.5%) died. Calves that arrived at the facility with a fecal score of 2 or a rectal temperature between 38.9 and 39.1°C had a higher hazard of dying; calves that had a BMI of >371 g/cm were less likely to die than calves that had a BMI <330 g/cm. These results point to the importance of assessing calves on arrival at a veal facility as a measure of identifying those at high risk for morbidity and mortality.     

Clinical and metabolic indicators associated with early mortality at a milk-fed veal facility: A prospective case-control study

Antimicrobial use and resistance, in combination with high levels of mortality, are important challenges facing the veal industry. To improve both the economic sustainability of the industry and animal welfare, measures need to be taken to explore and address reasons for these challenges. Health status at arrival may be an important predictor of calf mortality because substantial mortality occurs early in the growing period on veal operations. The objective of this observational case-control study was to identify clinically measurable variables and metabolic indicators associated with mortality in the first 21 d following arrival at a veal facility. Calves were evaluated using a standardized health scoring system, blood was collected, calves were weighed, and the supplier of the calf was recorded at arrival. The calves were followed until death or 21 d after arrival. Cases were defined as calves that died ≤21 d following arrival. Two controls for every case were randomly selected from calves that survived >21 d, arrived on the same day, and were housed in the same barn as cases. Stored serum harvested at arrival from cases and controls was submitted for measurement of concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, cholesterol, urea, haptoglobin, and immunoglobulin G. A conditional logistic regression model was built to evaluate factors associated with mortality ≤21 d following arrival. A total of 4,825 calves were evaluated from November 2015 to September 2016. The mortality risk in the first 21 d was 2.8%, giving 135 cases, which were compared with 270 controls. Six variables were significant in the final multivariable model. Calves with a slightly enlarged navel with slight pain or moisture, and those with severe dehydration had increased odds of mortality ≤21 d following arrival. Drover-derived calves, calves that weighed more, and calves that had higher concentration of immunoglobulin G or cholesterol at arrival were less likely to die. The results demonstrate that calves at elevated risk for early mortality can be identified at arrival using both health and hematological factors. Early recognition of high-risk calves may allow for an intervention that could result in improvement in survival rates; however, prevention of these abnormalities before arrival at veal facilities needs to be further explored.     

Health parameters and their association with price in young calves sold at auction for veal operations in Québec,Canada

The veal calf industry in Québec depends on young calves' availability at auction. Most of these calves come from dairy farms. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the effect of clinical anomalies and other calf characteristics on their sale price. A total of 3,820 calves from 5 different auctions were included in this observational study. The calves were examined by a veterinarian on arrival at the auction and screened for umbilical anomalies, the presence of nasal or eye discharge, joint abnormality, diarrhea, appearance of neonatal characteristics (compatible with age less than 1 wk), and general health status mainly based on the presence of depression and dehydration. The final multivariable model included 5 different variables (calf weight, sex, breed, abnormal joints, and general health status) and the interaction between sex and general health status. The presence of abnormal joints and unhealthy characteristics was negatively associated with standardized price. Female calves and mixed breed beef calves were positively associated with standardized price. Finally, the calves' weight was associated with standardized price in a quadratic fashion. Ongoing or previous diarrhea had no effects on standardized price. This study will be helpful for both dairy and veal producers for improving the quality of calves sold to the Québec auction market.     

Effects of transport age and calf and maternal characteristics on health and performance of veal calves

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of calf transport age (14 vs. 28 d) and calf (e.g., sex and breed) and dam characteristics (e.g., parity and ease of birth) on health and performance of veal calves until slaughter age. Calves (n = 683) originated from 13 dairy farms in the Netherlands and were transported at either 14 or 28 d of age from the dairy farm to 8 Dutch veal farms. A health assessment of calves was performed on a weekly basis at the dairy farm and in wk 2, 10, 18, and 24 at the veal farm. Body weight of calves was measured on a weekly basis at the dairy farm and upon arrival at the veal farm. At the veal farm, use of antibiotics and other medicines during the rearing period (both at herd and individual level) was recorded and carcass weights were obtained from the slaughterhouse. Body weight upon arrival (Δ = 11.8 kg) and carcass weight at slaughter (Δ = 14.8 kg) were greater, and mortality risk (Δ = ?3.1%) and prevalence of animals treated with medicines other than antibiotics (e.g., antiinflammatories, multivitamins, and anticoccidial drugs; Δ = ?5.4%) were lower in calves transported at 28 d compared with calves transported at 14 d. Crossbreds other than Belgian Blue × Holstein Friesian received a higher number of individual treatments with antibiotics and other medicines (Δ = 14.8% and Δ = 15.1%, respectively) at the veal farm compared with Belgian Blue × Holstein Friesian calves. These findings suggest that calves transported at 28 d were more robust compared with calves transported at 14 d.     

Calf management risk factors on dairy farms associated with male calf mortality on veal farms

The objective of this cross-sectional herd-level study was to assess the association of calf management practices on source dairy farms with mortality risk on veal farms. From April to October 2016, 52 source dairy farms supplying male calves to 2 veal operations were visited once. A questionnaire was administered that covered all areas of calf management, calves between 1 and 10 d of age were examined using a standardized health scoring system, and blood was taken to evaluate passive transfer of immunoglobulins. The mortality risk for calves from each dairy farm was calculated based on the number of male calves sold from the dairy farm and that died during 2016 at the veal operations. The mean mortality risk was calculated for both veal farms and, based on the veal facility-adjusted mortality risk, dairy farms were classified as high- or low-mortality source farms. Using the information gathered at the 52 source dairy farms, a logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with being a high-mortality source farm. Suppliers to veal farm 1 had a mean mortality risk of 9.6% and suppliers to veal farm 2 had a mean mortality risk of 4.2%. The lower mortality risk at veal farm 2 was partially influenced by a shorter period of observation. Of the 182 calves examined during the single visit to the source dairy farms, 41% of male calves and 29% of female calves had at least one identifiable health abnormality. The risk of failure of passive transfer on source dairy farms was low, with only 13% of calves tested having <10 mg of IgG/mL of serum. The subset of calves examined at the source dairy farm was not followed prospectively to the veal farms. Using a tube feeder or pail to feed colostrum, bedding male calves on wood shavings or chopped straw at the source dairy farm, and the herd veterinarian not routinely and actively inquiring about the health and performance of calves during regular herd visits were significantly associated with the farm being classified as a high-mortality source dairy farm. Checking the calving pen at an interval of every 3 h or more during the day was associated with a lower probability of being classified as a high-mortality source dairy farm. The results of this study suggest that there are management practices on the source farm that contribute to the risk of mortality on veal farms.     

Prevalence of respiratory disorders in veal calves and potential risk factors

The study aimed to assess the in vivo and postmortem prevalence of respiratory disorders in veal calves and investigate risk factors associated with them. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 174 farms in the 3 major veal meat-producing countries in Europe (50 in France, 100 in the Netherlands, and 24 in Italy). Trained veterinarians visually evaluated individual calves of 1 batch per farm at 3 and 13 wk after arrival and at 2 wk before slaughter to assess the prevalence of hampered respiration, nasal discharge, and coughing. A random sample of lungs belonging to calves of the same batch was monitored at the slaughterhouse for mild to moderate or severe signs of pneumonia, and presence of pleuritis. Data regarding veal calf housing, feeding, and management and specific characteristics of the batch were collected through an interview with the stockperson, and the potential of these as respiratory disease risk factors was assessed. Regardless of the stage of fattening, the prevalence of in vivo signs of respiratory disorders in calves was always <7%. This low prevalence was likely the outcome of the general implementation by veal producers of standardized practices such as prophylaxis, all-in/all-out, and individual daily checks of the calves, which are recognized tools for effective disease prevention and management. However, at postmortem inspection, 13.9% and 7.7% of lungs showed mild to moderate and severe signs of pneumonia, respectively, and 21.4% of the inspected lungs had pleuritis. Thus, even mild clinical signs of respiratory disorder in calves at specific time points during the fattening period may be associated with high prevalence of lungs with lesions at slaughter. Alternatively, clinical symptoms recorded during routine visual inspections of veal calves on-farm may be poor predictors of the true prevalence of respiratory disease in calves. Among all potential risk factors considered, those concerning the characteristics of the batch were predominant but factors related to housing, management and feeding equipment were also relevant. Different risk factors were involved at different stages of the fattening period. Therefore, to overcome respiratory disorders in veal calves, different solutions may apply to different stages of the fattening period.     

Identification of biomarkers measured upon arrival associated with morbidity,mortality, and average daily gain in grain-fed veal calves

There is a strong need for management strategies that help reduce the incidence of disease and subsequent antimicrobial use in the veal industry. Biomarkers could serve as useful tools that allow producers to take preventative measures before clinical problems occur. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to identify biomarkers measured upon arrival associated with morbidity, mortality, and average daily gain (ADG) in grain-fed veal calves. Upon arrival at a grain-fed veal facility in Ontario, Canada, calves were weighed and health-scored using a standardized health-scoring system. Several metabolites were measured including creatine kinase (CK), cholesterol, haptoglobin, manganese, serum total protein, iron, cobalt, zinc, selenium, molybdenum, and IgG. Farm personnel treated calves according to their farm protocol and weighed them at 78 d after arrival. Performance, treatment, and mortality records from the facility were used for analysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were created to evaluate metabolic biomarkers associated with morbidity and mortality. A mixed linear regression model was created to determine biomarkers associated with ADG. A total of 992 male dairy calves were evaluated at arrival from January to December 2017. Of the calves evaluated, 74 calves (7.5%) died and 877 (88.4%) were treated for illness over the 11-wk period under observation. Higher levels of haptoglobin and molybdenum were associated with a greater hazard of morbidity, whereas higher weight upon arrival and higher levels of both CK and IgG were associated with a reduced hazard of morbidity. For mortality, higher weight upon arrival and higher levels of cholesterol and IgG were associated with a lower hazard of mortality occurring over the 78-d period of observation. Higher weight, cholesterol, copper, CK, iron, and IgG were associated with increased ADG, whereas increased zinc and haptoglobin were negatively associated with ADG. These results demonstrate that certain biomarkers could be used to identify high-risk calves when measured upon arrival at a veal facility. Future research should focus on determining the utility of these biomarkers to selectively target intervention strategies to improve ADG and reduce morbidity and mortality.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders recorded at postmortem inspection in white veal calves and associated risk factors

The study aimed at assessing the prevalence of poor rumen development, presence of rumen plaques, rumen papillae hyperkeratinization, and abomasal lesions in veal calves and to investigate risk factors for their occurrence at the farm level. Within a wide cross-sectional study, a sample of 170 veal farms representative of the European veal meat production systems was considered in the 3 major producing countries (99 in the Netherlands, 47 in France, and 24 in Italy). An average of 59 ± 10 (SD) rumens and abomasa belonging to calves from a single batch per farm were inspected at the abattoir by trained observers to assess the incidence of these gastrointestinal disorders. Potential risk factors for their occurrence related to farm management, housing, and to the feeding plan were obtained by a questionnaire submitted to the stockperson. Prevalence of poor rumen development (almost no papillae present), rumen plaques, and hyperkeratinization were 60.4, 31.4, and 6.1% of rumens, respectively, whereas abomasal lesions in the pyloric area were recorded in 74.1% of abomasa. Independent variables related to the feeding system confirmed to be the main risk factors for the occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders in veal calves. However, additional risk sources for each given problem were identified among housing and management variables. The provision of a low amount of solid feed (≤50 kg of dry matter/head per cycle) was a relevant risk for rumen underdevelopment. Rumen wall alterations (plaques and hyperkeratinization) and abomasal lesions were instead associated with the administration of large quantities of solids (151-300 kg of dry matter/head per cycle) in calves receiving milk replacer during the entire fattening cycle. Among the types of solid feed, cereal grain acted as a preventive measure for low rumen development, whereas it was a risk factor for the occurrence of rumen plaques, papillae hyperkeratinization, and abomasal lesions. Some housing and management options adopted to improve veal calf welfare (i.e., higher space allowance and use of heating) were associated with lower risk for gastrointestinal disorders.     

Development and validation of a clinical respiratory disease scoring system for guiding treatment decisions in veal calves using a Bayesian framework

Active infectious bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an infection of the airways that needs to be diagnosed correctly so that appropriate treatment can be initiated. The simplest and most practical test to detect active BRD in dairy calves raised for veal is the detection and interpretation of clinical signs by producers or technicians. However, the clinical scoring system currently available for veal calves lacks sensitivity and specificity, contributing to economic losses and high use of antimicrobials. An accurate and reliable batch-level test to detect active BRD is essential to tailor antimicrobial use and reduce economic losses in veal calves. The objective of this study was therefore to develop and validate a new veal calf respiratory clinical scoring system (VcCRS), including reliable clinical signs (cough, ear droop or head tilt) and increased rectal temperature to detect active BRD in batches of veal calves housed individually, and to describe the accuracy of the scoring system for identifying batches of veal calves to treat. During 2017 to 2018, clinical examination, thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) and a haptoglobin concentration (Hap) were prospectively performed on 800 veal calves housed individually in Québec, Canada. Deep nasopharyngeal swabs were performed on 250 veal calves. A Bayesian latent class model accounting for imperfect accuracy of TUS and Hap was used to obtain weights for the clinical signs and develop the VcCRS. The VcCRS was then validated externally in 3 separate data sets. Finally, the applicability of the VcCRS at batch level was determined. We found that calves with 2 of the following findings—cough, unilateral or bilateral ear droop or head tilt, or increased rectal temperature ≥39.7°C—were considered positive and had a 31% chance of having active BRD. Without at least 2 of these 2 findings, a calf had a 100% chance of not having active BRD. At the batch level, we found that a batch with ≥3 positive calves among 10 calves sampled 2 wk after arrival at the fattening unit had a 94% chance of having an active BRD prevalence ≥10%. A batch with <3 positive calves had a 95% chance of not having an active BRD prevalence ≥10%. In this study, we developed a simple individual and batch-level score that is reliable across examiners and performs effectively in the detection of active BRD in veal calves. The implementation of this VcCRS in the veal calf industry would promote the elaboration of a protocol tailoring antimicrobial use.     

Calf and dam characteristics and calf transport age affect immunoglobulin titers and hematological parameters of veal calves

This study aimed to investigate effects of transport age of calves (14 vs. 28 d), and of calf and dam characteristics, on immunoglobulin titers and hematological variables of veal calves. Calves (n = 683) were transported to a veal farm at 14 or 28 d of age. Natural antibodies N-IgG, N-IgM, and N-IgA against phosphorylcholine conjugated to bovine serum albumin (PC-BSA) were measured in serum of the dams 1 wk before calving and in first colostrum. These antibodies were also measured in serum of calves 1 wk after birth, 1 d before transport, and in wk 2 and 10 posttransport at the veal farm. Hematological variables were assessed in calves 1 d before transport and in wk 2 posttransport. One day before transport, titers of N-IgG, N-IgM, N-IgA, and neutrophil counts were higher, and lymphocyte counts were lower in 14-d-old calves compared with 28-d-old calves. In wk 2 at the veal farm, calves transported at 14 d of age had higher N-IgG titers and neutrophil counts, but lower N-IgM and N-IgA titers, and lymphocyte counts than calves transported at 28 d. In wk 1 and 1 d before transport, N-Ig in calves were positively related to N-Ig in colostrum. In wk 2 and 10 at the veal farm, N-IgG in calves was positively related to N-IgG in colostrum. The N-IgG titers in calves at the dairy farm were negatively related to the likelihood of being individually treated with antibiotics or other medicines at the veal farm. Our results suggest that calves transported to the veal farm at 28 d of age showed a more advanced development of their adaptive immunity than calves transported at 14 d of age. Quality of colostrum might have long-term consequences for N-IgG titers and immunity in veal calves.     

A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of transport duration and age at transport on surplus dairy calves: Part I. Impact on health and growth

Calves arriving to veal and dairy-beef facilities in poor condition are at risk of future health challenges and reduced growth rates, and limited knowledge is available on how time in transit affects subsequent health and growth of these animals. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to understand the effects of transport duration on diarrhea, respiratory disease, and growth of surplus calves destined for veal production following 6, 12, or 16 h of continuous road transport. Surplus dairy calves (n = 175; 7 transport cohorts) from 5 commercial dairy farms in Ontario, Canada, were enrolled on the day of birth. These calves were clinically examined daily on the source farms until the day before transport and on a daily basis for the first 14 d at the veal farm. On the day of transport, they were randomly assigned to 6, 12, or 16 h of transport to a veal farm. A blood sample was collected between 24 and 48 h of birth to assess transfer of passive immunity status. Calves were weighed at birth, before and immediately after transport, as well as 24, 48, and 72 h after unloading. Calves were also weighed 14 and 50 d after transport. Health exams were conducted daily at the source farm, immediately before and after transport, and once daily for 14 d thereafter to evaluate clinical signs of diarrhea, respiratory disease, dehydration, and navel inflammation. Mixed effects Poisson regression models were used to evaluate variables associated with the number of days with abnormal respiratory and fecal scores, whereas mixed logistic regression models with repeated measures were built to assess the probability of a calf having abnormal respiratory scores, abnormal fecal scores, or dehydration by day after arrival to the facility. A mixed model with repeated measures was used to evaluate calf weight at each time point at which body weight was measured after transport, whereas a mixed linear regression model was used to evaluate factors associated with average daily gain (ADG) in the 50 d after transport. Calves transported for 16 h had greater incidence of abnormal fecal scores compared with 6 h in the 14 d after transport. In addition, an interaction between age and duration of transport on the number of days with abnormal respiratory scores was identified, where calves older than 7 d of age had reduced incidence of abnormal respiratory score compared with calves 2 to 6 d old, even when transported for 16 h. As for growth, age at transport was positively associated with ADG in the 50 d of observation; however, no differences were observed between transport duration groups. These findings highlight that transporting calves for a longer duration negatively affects subsequent health, and calves greater than 1 wk of age experience improved health and growth after transport compared with their younger counterparts.     

The effect of pair housing on dairy calf health,performance, and behavior

Individual housing of dairy calves prevails in Europe and North America despite its negative effects on calf development. One of the main reasons is that farmers find individual housing of calves more practical than group housing. A compromise between practice and welfare could be housing calves in pairs. Therefore, we aimed to compare health, feed intake, growth, and behavior in a novel arena of 22 individually (INDI) and 44 pair-housed calves that were randomly assigned a treatment. Diarrhea and respiratory problems were recorded every day for the period of 49 d. Intake of calf starter and milk were measured every day for the period 48 and 49 d, respectively. Calf body weight gains were calculated as average daily gain. Calves were individually tested in a novel arena at 11 to 18 d, and their behavior was recorded according to an ethogram including 8 behavioral categories. Behavioral categories were first diminished by principal component (PC) analysis. We found that 2 PC explained 66% of the total variation in calf behavior. Movement-related behaviors (activity, play, and crossing the stair) loaded positively on PC1, and PC2 had positive loading on self-grooming and negative loading on exploration. There were no effects of housing on calf health, feed intake, or average daily gain. The INDI calves had higher PC1 scores than pair-housed calves, indicating a rebound effect of movement. Our results are consistent with other studies that found no negative effect of pair housing of calves on their health, feed intake, or growth compared with individually-housed calves. The rebound effect of movement-related behaviors of INDI calves in a novel arena implies that individual housing of calves causes activity deprivation by the second week of age.     

Short communication: The effect of diarrhea and navel inflammation on the lying behavior of veal calves

Many veal calves arrive to growing facilities with diseases, including diarrhea and navel inflammation. Observing neonatal calf behavior, such as lying behavior, can be used to better detect and determine the implications of these diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of navel inflammation and diarrhea on lying behavior in neonatal veal calves. This study was part of a larger experiment that included a total of 360 male Holstein calves from 3 cohorts; from these calves, we selected a subset of 125 calves (every third calf as they entered the barn) to be fitted with 3-dimensional accelerometers (Hobo Pendant G data loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) on 1 hind leg to continuously measure lying time, number of lying bouts, and lying bout duration. Calves were housed individually on slatted flooring (Tenderfoot; Tandem Products Inc., Minneapolis, MN) in 3 rooms of a mechanically ventilated barn. Health exams were conducted twice weekly for 2 wk starting the day after arrival. Exams included rectal temperature, navel score (0 = normal, 1 = mildly inflamed, 2 = moderately inflamed, 3 = severely inflamed), and fecal score (0 = normal, 1 = semiformed, 2 = loose, 3 = watery). Calves were considered to have navel inflammation (n = 22) or diarrhea (n = 15) if they scored ≥2 during at least 3 of the 4 health exams. The lying behavior of these calves was compared with that of normal calves (n = 18) that had no signs of illness and rectal temperatures <39.4°C during at least 3 of the 4 health exams. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA; models included cohort (1, 2, or 3), health status (normal, navel inflammation, or diarrhea), week (1 or 2), and a health by week interaction. There was an effect of health status on lying time, whereby normal calves spent more time lying compared with calves with inflamed navels and tended to spend more time lying compared with calves with diarrhea. There was no effect of health status on the number of lying bouts per day or on the duration of lying bouts. There were no health by week interactions. Results indicate that neonatal veal calves with navel inflammation and diarrhea may be less comfortable than calves without these conditions. Veal producers should consider adapting their facilities to create more comfortable lying environments to help calves better recover from disease, such as by adding a hospital pen with comfortable bedding.     

Factors affecting dairy calf price in auction markets in Québec,Canada: 2008–2019

Dairy calves not kept for replacement are sold at young age in Québec auction markets for white and grain-fed veal calf production. The province of Québec produces 80% of the Canadian veal meat, but little information is available on the factors associated with the calves' price per crude weight (Can$/kg; Can$1 = US$0.78 at time of writing). The characteristics of calves sold in Québec auction markets from 12 complete years (2008–2019) were retrospectively studied. The calves' weight, breed and sex, the year and season of sale, the auction site, as well as the estimated distance traveled between the farm of origin and the auction site were analyzed as potential covariates associated with calf price. Two multivariable logistic models associated with low sale value (below the 10th or the 25th percentile of the day price) and 2 models associated with good sale characteristics (above the 50th or the 75th percentile of the day price) were built. The median distance between the farm and the auction site was 52 km (interquartile range: 30–95 km). Only 5% of calves traveled distances greater than 220 km. The weight, breed, sex, and auction sites explained most of the variability in the different models. Distance traveled and multiple interactions were also significantly associated with the outcomes. Calves with body weight from 48 to <56 kg were sold in higher percentiles of the day than lighter or heavier calves. Beef-crossed calves had better sale prices than Holstein, whereas colored dairy calves had lower sale characteristics than both Holstein and beef-crossed calves. The effect of distance traveled was complex, varying depending on the model and interactions, and explained a small portion of the total deviance in every model. Calves traveling from distances ≥110 km had lower sale characteristics in summer and fall in the different studied models. This study gives relevant insights on calves' characteristics associated with good versus low sale prices in Québec auction markets.     

Mortality and health treatment rates of dairy calves in automated milk feeding systems in the Upper Midwest of the United States

Automated calf feeding systems are increasing in use across the United States, yet information regarding health and mortality outcomes of animals in these systems is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between farm management practices, housing, and environmental factors with mortality and health treatment rates of preweaned dairy calves housed in groups with automated feeding systems. Farm records were collected for health treatments and mortality on 26 farms in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Relationships between factors of interest and mortality or treatment rate were calculated using a correlation analysis. Overall median annual mortality rate was 2.6 (interquartile range = 3.6; range = 0.24–13.4%), and 57% of farms reported mortality rates below 3%/yr. Farms that disinfected the navels of newborn calves had lower mortality rate (mean = 3.0%; standard error = 0.8; 78% of farms) than farms that did not disinfect (mean = 7.3%; standard error = 1.6; 22% of farms). Farm size (number of cows on site) was negatively associated [correlation coefficient (r) = ?0.53], whereas the age range in calf groups was positively associated (r = 0.58) with mortality rate. Average serum total protein concentration tended to be negatively associated with annual mortality rate (r = ?0.39; median = 5.4; range = 5.0–6.4 g/dL). Health treatment rate was positively associated with coliform bacterial count in feeder tube milk samples [r = 0.45; mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 6.45 ± 4.50 ln(cfu/mL)] and the age of calves at grouping (r = 0.50; mean ± SD = 5.1 ± 3.6 d). A positive trend was detected for coliform bacterial count of feeder mixing tank milk samples [r = 0.37; mean ± SD = 3.2 ± 6.4 ln(cfu/mL)] and calf age at weaning (r = 0.37, mean ± SD = 57.4 ± 9.6 d). Seasonal patterns indicated that winter was the season of highest treatment rate. Taken together, these results indicate that, although automated feeding systems can achieve mortality rates below the US average, improvements are needed in fundamental calf care practices, such as colostrum management and preventing bacterial contamination of the liquid diet and the calf environment.     

Associations between colostrum management,passive immunity,calf-related hygiene practices,and rates of mortality in preweaning dairy calves

Calves are particularly vulnerable to health issues before weaning and experience high rates of mortality. Poor colostrum quality or substandard colostrum management, combined with poor hygiene, can increase disease susceptibility, contributing to elevated mortality rates. This study aimed to assess colostrum and calf management together with subsequent mortality rates in preweaning calves. Forty-seven Irish spring-calving, pasture-based dairy herds were enrolled in the study. To investigate whether colostrum and hygiene practices change as the calving season progresses, each farm was visited in both the first and last 6 wk of the calving season. The concentration of IgG in 250 colostrum samples and 580 calf serum samples was determined by radial immunodiffusion assay. Mean colostrum IgG concentration was 85 mg/mL, and mean calf serum IgG concentration was 30.9 and 27.1 mg/mL, respectively, in the first and last 6 wk of the calving season. Smaller herd size and younger age at sampling were associated with higher calf serum IgG concentration. Dairy breed calves were associated with higher serum IgG concentrations compared with beef breed calves; no association was detected based on sex. For feeding equipment hygiene, we assessed the presence of protein residues and found that hygiene levels tended to worsen from the first to the final 6 wk of the calving season. We found no association between feeding equipment hygiene and herd size or 28-d calf mortality rate. Colostrum and calf management practices were not associated with either calf serum IgG concentration or 28-d calf mortality rate. We found that IgG concentration in colostrum produced in Irish dairy herds was generally good, although large variation existed, emphasizing the need for assessment of colostrum before feeding. Results also suggested that hygiene practices associated with calf rearing can be improved, particularly in the latter half of the calving season.     

Short communication: genetic parameters for measures of calf health in a population of Holstein calves in New York State

The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic parameters of preweaning undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease (BRD), umbilical diseases (UMB), and bloat (BLT) for a population of Holstein calves from New York State, as well as to associate the estimated breeding values determined in the current study with traits from ongoing genetic evaluations used in Canada and the United States. Data were recorded for 7,372 heifer calves at a commercial rearing facility in New York State, from arrival at 1 to 7 d of age for the duration of stay at the facility. Performance and disease up to weaning and mortality before and after weaning were recorded. The 3 traits of interest, BRD, UMB, and BLT, were scored as 0 or 1 and analyzed using a multivariate linear sire model. The model included fixed effects of arrival weight, serum total protein, weaning weight, and season and year of birth; herd and sire were included as random effects. The heritabilities of the 3 health traits of interest were estimated at 0.09 for BRD, 0.14 for UMB, and 0.04 for BLT. The genetic correlation between the calf health traits BRD and BLT was 0.62. Correlations between BRD and UMB and between BLT and UMB were close to zero. Breeding values were estimated for the 3 calf health traits and correlated with routinely evaluated traits from Canadian and US genetic evaluations (correlations ranged from −0.42 to 0.32). Significant differences existed among Holstein sires for calf health during the preweaning period.