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Ike KA, Casper DP, Hansen WP, Scott M, Anele UY. Milk replacer galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) inclusion rates for neonatal calves. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)01075-0. [PMID: 39154729 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-25262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) is a prebiotic isolated from whey. This study evaluated the optimal inclusion rate for improving growth and health performance of neonatal calves. Eighty-eight 2-5-d old Holstein bull calves were blocked by initial BW and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments using a RCBD. Treatments comprised a 22:20 (CP: fat) amino acid balanced milk replacer (MR) with GOS added at the rate of 0 g/d (Control or GOS0), 2 g/d (GOS2), 4 g/d (GOS4), and 8 g/d (GOS8). Calves received 0.283 kg MR in 1.9 L fed 2 x/d for the first 14 d, then increased to 0.42 kg in 2.84 L fed 2x/d through d 35, followed by 0.42 kg MR in 2.84 L fed 1x/d through d 42, followed by weaning. The GOS inclusion rate remained constant as milk volume increased. Calves fed GOS at 2, 4, and 8 g/d demonstrated similar growth performance compared with calves fed GOS0. Calves fed GOS4 demonstrated a carryover effect into post-weaning resulting in a tendency for increased (P < 0.08) BW (82.5, 83.0, 85.3, and 83.1 kg for GOS0, GOS2, GOS4, and GOS8, respectively), BW gains (37.8, 38.2, 41.3 and 38.6 kg), and ADG (687, 696, 751, and 701 g/d). The ADG was increased by 9.3% when feeding calves GOS4 compared with calves fed GOS0. Calf starter DMI was greater at 7 (1.73,1.86, 1.95, and 1.83 kg/d) and 8 (2.34, 2.50, 2.60, 2.49 kg/d) wk of age for calves fed GOS4 compared with calves fed GOS0 with remaining treatments being intermediate and similar. Feed conversion (0.552, 0.529, 0.563, 0.545 kg/kg) was greater for calves fed GOS0 and GOS4 g/d compared with calves fed GOS2 with calves fed GOS8 being intermediate and similar. Body frame gains were similar for calves fed all GOS inclusion rates. A treatment by week interaction at wk 2 indicated that calves fed GOS2 demonstrated greater fecal score = 0 d than calves fed the remaining treatments, indicating less scours. In conclusion, supplementing GOS to a milk replacer at 4 g/d fed to neonatal calves improved growth performance without compromising health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelechi A Ike
- College of Science and Technology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Greensboro NC 27401, USA
| | - David P Casper
- Casper's Calf Ranch, 4890 West Lily Creek Road, Freeport, IL 61032, USA.; Department of Animal Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Greensboro NC 27401, USA.
| | - William P Hansen
- Milk Specialties Global, 7500 Flying Cloud Dr Suite 500 Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 55344, USA
| | - Mark Scott
- Milk Specialties Global, 7500 Flying Cloud Dr Suite 500 Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 55344, USA
| | - Uchenna Y Anele
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Greensboro NC 27401, USA
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Male Here RR, McAloon C, Donlon J, McGee M, Duane M, Kenny D, Earley B. Summer scour syndrome in weaned dairy calves: case series. Ir Vet J 2024; 77:14. [PMID: 39014467 PMCID: PMC11251238 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-024-00273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Summer scour syndrome (SSS) is a recently identified pathological condition affecting weaned dairy and dairy-beef calves during their first grazing season in Ireland. The syndrome is characterised by diarrhoea, weight loss, weakness, and can ultimately lead to death in some calves. Oral and oesophageal ulcerations are present in some cases. This study aimed to characterise a series of SSS cases in weaned dairy-bred calves on Irish commercial farms. RESULTS Five farms with calves having unexplained diarrhoea at grass were referred by private veterinary practitioners (PVP) following preliminary testing to exclude coccidiosis and parasitic gastroenteritis. Farms were visited within 2 to 5 days following PVP's referrals, or 2 days to 3 weeks relative to the onset of clinical signs. Farm management data, grass and concentrate samples, and biological samples from 46 calves (8 to 10 calves/farm) displaying clinical signs were collected. Two farms were subsequently found positive for coccidiosis and/or had chronic pneumonia problems after a thorough herd investigation and were designated as non-case farms (NCF). The remaining three farms were deemed typical SSS outbreaks (case farms; CF). Mean rumen fluid pH per farm ranged from 6.67 to 7.09 on CF, and 6.43-6.88 on NCF. Mean rumen fluid ammonia concentrations ranged from 17.6 to 29.6 mg/L and 17.2-45.0 mg/L on CF and NCF, respectively. Corresponding blood ammonia concentrations ranged from 129 to 223 µmol/L and 22-25 µmol/L. Mean blood copper and molybdenum concentrations were within normal range on all farms. Grass crude protein concentrations on the paddocks where the calves had grazed, and were currently grazing on the day of visit ranged from 137 to 148 g/kg DM and 106-177 g/kg DM, respectively on CF, and 160-200 g/kg DM and 151-186 g/kg DM, respectively on NCF. On CF, inorganic nitrogen fertiliser was applied 1 to 3 weeks pre-grazing, whereas on the two NCF, inorganic nitrogen fertiliser was applied 2 to 3 weeks pre-grazing on one farm and no fertiliser was applied on the other. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that copper or molybdenum toxicity, and ruminal acidosis are not the primary causes of SSS. High blood ammonia concentrations and the timing and level of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser application to paddocks pre-grazing, warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rischi Robinson Male Here
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine McAloon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Donlon
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Mary Duane
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Kenny
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland.
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Treon E, Sidney T, Taiwo G, Idowu M, Leal Y, Ologunagba D, Ogunade IM. Effects of dietary supplementation of a blend of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, multiple live probiotic bacteria, and their fermentation products on performance, health, and rumen bacterial community of newly weaned beef steers during a 56-d receiving period. Transl Anim Sci 2023; 8:txad143. [PMID: 38221963 PMCID: PMC10785767 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txad143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
We examined the effects of a blend of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, multiple live probiotic bacteria, and their fermentation products on performance, health, and the ruminal bacterial community of newly weaned beef steers during a 56-d receiving period. Forty newly weaned Angus crossbred steers (221 ± 25.6 kg BW; 180 ± 17 d of age) were stratified by body weight (BW) into four pens (10 steers per pen) such that each pen had a similar average BW at the beginning of the experiment. The pens were randomly assigned to receive a corn silage basal diet (CON; n = 20) or the basal diet supplemented with 9 g/steer/d of PRO feed additive (PRO; n = 20). The PRO additive is a blend of S. cerevisiae and the fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, B. subtilis, Lactobacillus animalis, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii. The DMI and water consumed were monitored using the GrowSafe intake nodes and custom flow meters, respectively. BWs were recorded weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Before morning feeding, 10 mL of blood was taken from each steer on days 0-7, and thereafter weekly for analyses of immune cells, plasma glucose, and NEFAs. On day 56, rumen fluid samples (200 mL each) were collected from all the steers for microbiome analysis. Over the 56-d receiving period, the supplemental PRO had no effects on DMI, water intake, or ADG. However, compared to CON, beef steers fed supplemental PRO tended to have greater ADG (P = 0.08) and BW (P = 0.07) during the first 14 d of the study. There was a treatment × day interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for WBC, neutrophils and monocytes over the 56 d such that beef steers fed supplemental PRO had lower blood concentrations on certain days during the first 7 d after weaning, indicating reduced inflammation or stress response. The results of the rumen microbiome analysis revealed that the relative abundance of complex fiber degrading or obligate proton-reducing bacterial genera such as Bacteroides, Ruminococcus gauvreauii group, Desulfovibrio, Syntrophococcus, and Acetitomaculum were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in beef steers fed supplemental PRO compared to CON. This study demonstrated that dietary supplementation of PRO improved the growth performance, reduced stress or inflammatory response during the initial days after weaning, and altered the ruminal bacterial community toward increased relative abundance of bacterial genera associated with improved rumen function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Treon
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Taylor Sidney
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Godstime Taiwo
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Modoluwamu Idowu
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Yarahy Leal
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Deborah Ologunagba
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Ibukun M Ogunade
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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4
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Svensson C, Hegrestad AL, Lindblom J. Dairy farmer and farm staff attitudes and perceptions regarding daily milk allowance to calves. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:7220-7239. [PMID: 37641306 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of feeding calves more milk are increasingly being recognized by dairy farmers. However, most producers have still not implemented higher feeding plans. The aim of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of farmer and farm staff attitudes, and the perceptions and factors considered in their decision-making regarding daily milk allowances. We collected data through focus group interviews with dairy farmers, farm managers, and calf-care workers who were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. In total, 40 persons (24 women and 16 men) joined a focus group interview (6 in all, each with 5-8 participants). Interviews were recorded, and recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Participants had contrasting opinions about the minimum, maximum, and recommended daily milk allowances to their calves. Their suggested lowest daily milk allowance to sustain animal welfare ranged from 4 to 8-10 L and the maximum allowance from 6 to 15 L. We found that farmers' and farm staff's choices and recommendations of milk-feeding protocols were influenced by a large number of factors that could be grouped into 4 themes: (1) Life beyond work, (2) Farm facilities and equipment, (3) Care of the calves, and (4) Profitability and production. Participants' considerations were similar and aimed to maximize daily milk allowance based on farm conditions. However, the allowances they described as optimal for their calves often differed from what they considered practically feasible. We found that the care of the calves and the well-being of the owners and the staff was central in the participants' decision-making, but that this care perspective was challenged by the social and economic sustainability of the farm. Most participants fed their calves twice daily and did not think that increasing that number would be practically feasible. Our results indicate that the participants' viewpoints regarding calves were important for their decision-making about milk allowances. We suggest that a more holistic perspective should be used when advising farmers about milk allowances, putting particular emphasis on the caring and social sustainability aspects of the individual farm.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Svensson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - J Lindblom
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, SE-751 05, Uppsala, Sweden; School of Informatics, University of Skövde, SE-541 28, Skövde, Sweden
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5
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Wolfe AR, Rezamand P, Agustinho BC, Konetchy DE, Laarman AH. Effects of weaning strategies on health, hematology, and productivity in Holstein dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:7008-7019. [PMID: 37532629 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Weaning strategies in dairy calves vary considerably, though the effect on animal health is unclear. This study examined the effects of calf weaning age (6 vs. 8 wk) and pace (abrupt vs. gradual) on performance, blood, and health parameters in dairy calves. The experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, where the factors included weaning age (early vs. late) and weaning pace (abrupt vs. gradual). Holstein calves (n = 72), blocked by sex and birth weight, were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments (n = 18 per treatment): early-abrupt (EA), early-gradual (EG), late-abrupt (LA), and late-gradual (LG). Milk replacer (24% crude protein, 17% fat; up to 1,200 g/d) was fed twice daily; water, calf starter (18% crude protein), and chopped alfalfa hay were fed ad libitum. Daily intakes of milk replacer, calf starter, and forage were recorded from birth until end of weaning. Body weight, selected health measures, blood hematology, and fecal scores were obtained 1 d preweaning and 1 d postweaning. Calves were orally bolused with a rumen pH logger for the last 3 d of the weaning transition and rumen pH was measured continuously. Data were analyzed with age, pace, age × pace interaction, birthweight, and sex as fixed effects, and starting date as a random effect. Greater age at weaning increased respiration, whereas gradual-weaned calves had lower respiration rate. Heart rate was lower in gradual than in abrupt weaned groups. Fecal score had a marginal increase in late-weaned groups and significantly increased in gradually weaned groups. No difference was detected in body core temperature by age, pace, or interaction. During the weaning transition, average daily gain was lower in LA than EA and gradually weaned groups had an increased average daily gain. Change in grain intake, but not forage intake, was greater in gradually weaned groups. Mean rumen pH marginally increased from EG to LG and from LA to LG. No difference was detected among treatments in red or white blood cell counts, and hemoglobin. Procalcitonin was marginally highest in the LA group, while blood hematocrit increased in abruptly weaned groups. Overall, calf health is affected by both age and pace of weaning, though the health parameters affected by age and pace differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Wolfe
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843
| | - P Rezamand
- Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - B C Agustinho
- Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - D E Konetchy
- Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - A H Laarman
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843; Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5.
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6
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Li W, Zeng W, Zhang Y, Ma Z, Fang X, Han Y, Sun Y, Jin X, Ma L. A comparative metabolomics analysis of domestic yak ( Bos grunniens) milk with human breast milk. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1207950. [PMID: 37841471 PMCID: PMC10570732 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1207950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Yaks are tough animals living in Tibet's hypoxic stress environment. However, the metabolite composition of yak milk and its role in hypoxic stress tolerance remains largely unexplored. The similarities and differences between yak and human milk in hypoxic stress tolerance are also unclear. This study explored yak colostrum (YC) and yak mature milk (YMM) using GC-MS, and 354 metabolites were identified in yak milk. A comparative metabolomic analysis of yak and human milk metabolites showed that over 70% of metabolites were species-specific. Yak milk relies mainly on essential amino acids- arginine and essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): L-isoleucine, L-leucine, and L-valine tolerate hypoxic stress. To slow hypoxic stress, human breast milk relies primarily on the neuroprotective effects of non-essential amino acids or derivates, such as citrulline, sarcosine, and creatine. In addition, metabolites related to hypoxic stress were significantly enriched in YC than in YMM. These results reveal the unique metabolite composition of yak and human milk and provide practical information for applying yak and human milk to hypoxic stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Li
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Weike Zeng
- Center for Genomics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zhijie Ma
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Xingyan Fang
- Center for Genomics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yingcang Han
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yonggang Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Xiayang Jin
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Liuyin Ma
- Center for Genomics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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7
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Sockett D, Breuer RM, Smith LW, Keuler NS, Earleywine T. Investigation of brix refractometry for estimating bovine colostrum immunoglobulin G concentration. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1240227. [PMID: 37818390 PMCID: PMC10560986 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1240227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Many dairy operations uses a Brix refractometer to assess the quality of first-milking colostrum. This study investigated whether a digital Brix refractometer could be used in a model to predict colostrum IgG concentration and whether more than one %Brix threshold could be used for different colostrum IgG concentrations. Colostrum from 182 animals was tested using a digital Brix refractometer and by single radial immunodiffusion. Statistical analysis, using simple linear regression to relate %Brix results with corresponding colostral IgG concentration, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to identify %Brix cutoffs that had no false positive results. Colostral IgG concentrations from digital Brix refractometry had a R2 value of 0.818 and a S-value of 21.7 g/L. The large S-value shows that a digital Brix refractometer should not be used in a model to predict colostrum IgG concentration. However, %Brix scores of 19.0, 22.0, 25.0 and 30.0 percent can be used to estimate minimum colostral IgG concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 g/L. These four cutoffs can be used to strategically feed smaller volumes of colostrum to newborn calves. Smaller volumes may reduce unwanted side effects and shorten the time interval in which calves refuse to nurse, while still delivering an adequate mass of IgG to have successful transfer of passive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Sockett
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ryan M. Breuer
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Lindsey W. Smith
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicholas S. Keuler
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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8
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortazar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MA, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Jensen MB, Waiblinger S, Candiani D, Lima E, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Winckler C. Welfare of calves. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07896. [PMID: 37009444 PMCID: PMC10050971 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This Scientific Opinion addresses a European Commission request on the welfare of calves as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. EFSA was asked to provide a description of common husbandry systems and related welfare consequences, as well as measures to prevent or mitigate the hazards leading to them. In addition, recommendations on three specific issues were requested: welfare of calves reared for white veal (space, group housing, requirements of iron and fibre); risk of limited cow–calf contact; and animal‐based measures (ABMs) to monitor on‐farm welfare in slaughterhouses. The methodology developed by EFSA to address similar requests was followed. Fifteen highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, with respiratory disorders, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, gastroenteric disorders and group stress being the most frequent across husbandry systems. Recommendations to improve the welfare of calves include increasing space allowance, keeping calves in stable groups from an early age, ensuring good colostrum management and increasing the amounts of milk fed to dairy calves. In addition, calves should be provided with deformable lying surfaces, water via an open surface and long‐cut roughage in racks. Regarding specific recommendations for veal systems, calves should be kept in small groups (2–7 animals) within the first week of life, provided with ~ 20 m2/calf and fed on average 1 kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF) per day, preferably using long‐cut hay. Recommendations on cow–calf contact include keeping the calf with the dam for a minimum of 1 day post‐partum. Longer contact should progressively be implemented, but research is needed to guide this implementation in practice. The ABMs body condition, carcass condemnations, abomasal lesions, lung lesions, carcass colour and bursa swelling may be collected in slaughterhouses to monitor on‐farm welfare but should be complemented with behavioural ABMs collected on farm.
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Changes in the Lactoferrin Concentration in the Bovine Colostrum During Postpartum Period. MACEDONIAN VETERINARY REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The health condition of the mammary gland is highly crucial for obtaining good quality colostrum. The lactoferrin (LF), as an iron-binding protein, plays a key role in the defense mechanisms of the mammary gland due to its’ bacteriostatic properties. The study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the LF concentration in the bovine colostrum milk during the postpartum period, and the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) on the LF concentration and milk composition. The cows were randomly selected at a dairy farm in Pelagonia region. Colostrum samples from 12 cows were collected. Samples were taken at different time intervals after parturition, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after parturition. Cows in their second parity were found to have higher levels of LF compared to cows in the third and higher parity (p>0.05). Time had a significant effect on the LF concentration (p<0.01), with the highest value recorded 1 h after parturition remaining stable for one hour. LF concentration and SCC in the colostrum showed a weak positive correlation (r=0.40; p<0.01). The highest LF concentration was noticed when SCC was above 800,000 cells/mL. In conclusion, the colostrum LF concentration was significantly affected by the interactions of the two factors, i.e., time after parturition and SCC (p<0.05). Milk composition was affected by elevated SCC. Parity showed no association with LF. The SCC can be used as a reliable means of assessing colostrum quality.
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An Evaluation of Nutritional and Therapeutic Factors Affecting Pre-Weaned Calf Health and Welfare, and Direct-Fed Microbials as a Potential Alternative for Promoting Performance—A Review. DAIRY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy3030045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The priority for calf rearing has been to maintain good health and welfare in order to promote and sustain future production. However, there have been numerous reports of undesirable levels of morbidity and mortality amongst pre-weaned calves. This may be mitigated or exacerbated by nutritional management practices. Some areas of concern include colostrum feeding, utilization of waste milk, and restrictive milk feeding regimes. Antibiotics may be prescribed at lethal or sub-inhibitory doses to treat or prevent disease. However, extensive antibiotic use may disrupt the gastrointestinal microbiota and aid in expanding the antibiotic resistant gene pool. In an attempt to reduce the use of antibiotics, there is a demand to find alternative performance enhancers. Direct-fed microbials, also known as probiotics, may comply with this role. A DFM consists of live microorganisms that are biologically active and able to confer health benefits onto the host. Lactic acid bacteria have been the most frequently investigated; however, this field of research has expanded to include spore-forming bacteria and live yeast preparations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional management strategies that may increase a calf’s susceptibility to morbidity and mortality, the efficacy and sustainability of antibiotics as a tool for managing calf health and welfare, and the potential for DFMs as a supportive strategy for promoting calf wellbeing.
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Bonizzi S, Gislon G, Brasca M, Morandi S, Sandrucci A, Zucali M. Air Quality, Management Practices and Calf Health in Italian Dairy Cattle Farms. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172286. [PMID: 36078006 PMCID: PMC9454719 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Calf mortality is an important factor of economic loss in dairy operations. Among the factors which can affect calf health, air quality in calf housing has rarely been studied. In the present research, the relations among air quality in the calf pens, management practices, microclimatic conditions and calf health and mortality were studied in 25 Italian dairy cattle farms. Microbial air quality in the calf pens was found to be related to temperature and humidity, design and position of the pen, some management practices and calf health and mortality. Maintaining dry bedding and controlling microclimatic conditions in the calf pen can be useful practices to promote good air microbiological quality in the calf pen, improving calf health and reducing mortality. Abstract Among factors that can affect calf health, microbial quality of the pen air is poorly studied. In 25 Italian dairy farms, data concerning air quality in the calf pens, hygiene of pens and equipment, microclimatic conditions, calf health and management were collected during the winter season (January-March 2020 and December-March 2021). The average air Standard Plate Count (SPC) of 85 pens was 4.51 (SD = 0.52) log10 cfu/m3 whereas the average air ammonia concentration was 0.66 (SD = 0.53) ppm. Positive correlations were found between average Temperature Humidity Index (THI) in the pen and air SPC, night maximum THI and air SPC and between SPC and yeast, mould and ammonia concentration in the pen air. The concentrations of E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts in the pen air were higher and calf cough increased as the renewal interval of bedding material became longer. High bedding dry matter and low THI were associated with low air SPC, good calf health scores and low mortality. Maintaining low bedding humidity and controlling microclimatic conditions can contribute to enhancing air microbiological quality in the pen and reduce calf diseases and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Bonizzi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Gislon
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Milena Brasca
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production ISPA, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Morandi
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production ISPA, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Sandrucci
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-50316453
| | - Maddalena Zucali
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Bieber A, Walkenhorst M, Eppenstein R, Probst JK, Thüer S, Baki C, Martin B, Neff AS. Effects of twice a day teat bucket feeding compared to twice a day mother suckling on behaviour, health traits and blood immune parameters in dairy calves and immune parameters in cow`s milk. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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A High Plane of Nutrition Is Associated with a Lower Risk for Neonatal Calf Diarrhea on Bavarian Dairy Farms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113251. [PMID: 34827982 PMCID: PMC8614331 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Calf mortality and morbidity are still unacceptably high on many dairy farms worldwide. Neonatal calf diarrhea is the most common cause of disease and death in young calves. This study attempted to identify risk factors that are associated with the outbreak of this multifactorial disease on Bavarian dairy farms. For this purpose, farms with calf diarrhea as a herd problem were compared to farms without veterinarian treatment for calf diarrhea for one year before the study visit. The main factor that was associated with a lower risk of neonatal diarrhea was the provision of adequate amounts of milk as compared with lower milk feeding levels. In contrast, supplementation with iron soon after birth was associated with a higher risk for calf diarrhea as a herd problem. It is well known that poor colostrum management and restricted milk feeding compromise calf development and weaken the immune system. Therefore, it is not surprising that calves receiving more colostrum and more milk have a higher chance of remaining healthy. Ad libitum feeding of calves in the first three weeks of life is recommended. The observed association between an increased calf diarrhea risk and supplementation with iron after birth requires further investigation. Abstract In all bovine production systems, neonatal calf diarrhea remains worldwide an important issue of economic losses and animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for neonatal calf diarrhea as a herd health problem on Bavarian dairy farms. For the purpose of this study, management factors related to calf health were retrospectively compared between 59 dairy farms with calf diarrhea as a herd problem with those of 18 control farms, where no veterinary treatment of calves for neonatal calf diarrhea took place for at least one year prior to the farm visit. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis of management factors indicated that administration of 3 L or more of colostrum at the second feeding after birth (Odds ration [OR] = 0.21, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.05–0.89), ad libitum feeding of milk during the first week of life (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.006–0.60), and administration of an iron containing preparation after birth (OR = 10.9, 95% CI = 1.25–95.6) were independently associated with the presence of a herd problem with neonatal diarrhea. Results of this study therefore suggest that a higher plane of nutrition is a protective factor with regard to the occurrence of neonatal diarrhea on Bavarian dairy farms. These findings support the establishment of ad libitum feeding programs in dairy calf rearing.
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