Non-breeding-stock dairy calves may leave their birthplace at just a few days of age, and sometimes even sooner.
How well those calves are equipped to withstand transport and marketing was the subject of a collaborative study by researchers from Ohio State University; the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. Their findings were presented in a poster summary at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA).
The study evaluated 1,063 calves from 180 individual sources that converged at two livestock dealer sites in Ohio from May to September 2021. Calves were evaluated for immune status via serum total protein, classifying calves with total protein levels of less than 5.1 g/dL as having failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI).
Health examinations also were performed, evaluating body temperature, fecal status, navel health, depression, dehydration, and joint health. Data sets were further analyzed by sex and source of the calves to assess whether those factors influenced calf health and immune status. Male calves made up 78% of the group with the remaining 22% female; 65% of the calves were sourced directly from dairies, while the remaining 35% came from auctions or other dealers, indicating they were sold multiple times.
Among the researchers’ key findings:
- About one-fifth – 21.4% -- of the calves had FTPI, and another 40% had fair-to-poor passive immunity. Calves sold directly from dairy farms were more likely to have FTPI than those purchased from livestock markets or other dealers.
- 70.5% of all calves were dehydrated.
- 26.7% had navel inflammation.
- 21% had fever
- 13% were experiencing diarrhea.
- 7.1% were depressed.
- Males were more likely than females to have navel inflammation, eye discharge, and depression.
David Renaud, a researcher at the University of Guelph who was involved with the study, also addressed the issue of surplus calf management in another presentation at the 2022 ADSA Annual Meeting. He cautioned the audience that the care of surplus dairy calves poses both an animal welfare issue, as well as a reputational risk to the dairy industry.
“Calf welfare ethics are gaining increasing attention from the public,” said Renaud. “There are multiple stakeholders in the surplus calf marketing chain, and they need to be engaged and work together to improve care and outcomes for those animals.”
