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This study addresses the challenge of subjective remounting decisions in calf and heifer rearing, typically driven by the animal caretaker's feelings and experience, lacking a robust data foundation. Key factors such as developmental delays, diseases, or rearing problems often go unnoticed or are forgotten due to the number of animals. To address this gap, an established state-of-the-art sensor network captures behavioral data during rearing, which is supplemented by manually collected data. This facilitates a novel decision network providing well-founded recommendations to the animal owner regarding whether to retain or cull an animal. The approach focuses on four key areas: colostrum supply, milk intake, weight development, and disease history during the rearing time of each individual, offering a transparent decision path for the use of each future cow. Introducing a standardized decision-making approach, the proposed approach enables an efficient, transparent, and targeted management strategy, contributing to the sustainable enhancement of the health and performance of calves and heifers. Additionally, it allows for the comparison of the growth trajectories of different animals over time. Notably, individual and transparent decisions can be made at each growth stage, enhancing the overall decision-making process in calf and heifer rearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lecture style approach of the 2018 Dairy Australia Rearing Healthy Calves (DA RHC) program delivered sound content to participants, in a one size fits all purposes framework. In November 2020, an internal Dairy Australia project team updated the DA RHC extension program to provide a 'Fundamental' course supporting dairy farm employee's operational management of calf rearing, and an 'Advanced' course supporting decision makers in strategic management of calf rearing on Australian dairy farms. During a pilot of the DA RHC advanced course, participants focused on peer-to-peer discussion to remove roadblocks to practice change. As a result of this observation, the focus of the advanced course was switched from uptake of content to facilitation of participant driven pathways for practice change. The 'In Practice' focus appreciates the adoption of change requires time and space for reflection of how new learnings are being implemented to improve current farm practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionWhile early separation of dairy calves after birth has been debated from an ethical and animal welfare lens, the economic evidence surrounding alternative cow-calf contact (CCC) systems is scarce.MethodsTo address this knowledge gap, we assessed the economic consequences of CCC systems using data from the Agriwise database as well as parameters from published literature in a stochastic partial budget model. The implementation of CCC is very diverse between farms, so in our study we therefore selected a limited number of CCC systems to assess. The examined CCC systems were: (i) dam rearing with limited contact at milking (15 minutes twice a day for 115 days) with no manual milk feeding; (ii) dam rearing with 21-day full contact, after which calves are manually fed 8 kg of whole milk for 94 days; and (iii) mixed calf rearing with using both dams and foster cows with full contact; calves are initially kept with their dams and then moved to foster cows at 9 days of age.ResultsWe found that adoption of CCC systems was associated with decreases in contribution margins in the range of 1 to 5.4%, as compared to a rearing system where the calves were separated from their dams after one day and were manually fed 8 kg of milk for 12 weeks. These results illustrated that the costs associated with CCC systems may be fairly high under certain circumstances and may prohibit farmers from adopting this practice. Sensitivity analysis suggested that differences in milk sales, assumptions on changes in labor requirements, and changes in daily calf weight gain depending on CCC system were the main variables that governed the net impact on the contribution margins.DiscussionWe did not include building costs in the analyses assuming that barn structures may not change in the short-term. The study focused only on short-term pecuniary associations between changes in CCC systems and contribution margins. To strengthen the economic decision-making around CCC systems, future research should consider non-monetary impacts of different CCC systems, as well as long-term economic impacts of these production strategies.

This study addresses the challenge of subjective remounting decisions in calf and heifer rearing, typically driven by the animal caretaker’s feelings and experience, lacking a robust data foundation. Key factors such as developmental delays, diseases, or rearing problems often go unnoticed or are forgotten due to the number of animals. To address this gap, an established state-of-the-art sensor network captures behavioral data during rearing, which is supplemented by manually collected data. This facilitates a novel decision network providing well-founded recommendations to the animal owner regarding whether to retain or cull an animal. The approach focuses on four key areas: colostrum supply, milk intake, weight development, and disease history during the rearing time of each individual, offering a transparent decision path for the use of each future cow. Introducing a standardized decision-making approach, the proposed approach enables an efficient, transparent, and targeted management strategy, contributing to the sustainable enhancement of the health and performance of calves and heifers. Additionally, it allows for the comparison of the growth trajectories of different animals over time. Notably, individual and transparent decisions can be made at each growth stage, enhancing the overall decision-making process in calf and heifer rearing.

Concentrate-rich starter diets are commonly fed to dairy calves to stimulate growth performance. However, feeding high amounts of starter feed with low inclusion of forage fibre may jeopardise the development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Moreover, studies investigating the effects of feeding on carcass and meat quality of young calves at rearing are rare. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of hay quality and concentrate inclusion on the traits of GIT development, slaughter performance and veal quality of young dairy calves. The feeding trial covered the first 14 weeks of life. Seventeen male and three female Holstein calves (n = 20) were randomly allocated to four experimental groups, which received besides acidified whole milk different solid feeds: (1) 100% medium-quality hay (MQH), (2) 100% high-quality hay (HQH), (3) 30% medium-quality hay and 70% concentrate (MQH+C) and (4) 30% high-quality hay and 70% concentrate (HQH+C). The acidified whole milk was fed in the first 12 weeks of life, and calves had ad libitum access to solid feed and water from birth till slaughter. Calves were kept in individual boxes equipped with straw and slaughtered at the end of week 14. After slaughter, gut development traits, rumen histology, slaughter performance and meat quality were assessed. Overall, both concentrate inclusion and hay quality showed major effects on rumen histology and development of the GIT in dairy calves with minimal effects on most carcass cuts and meat quality traits. Concentrate-fed calves had significantly higher average daily gains, final body weights, blood amounts and proportions of organs from the circulatory and respiratory systems. Proportions of liver and kidneys were lowest in MQH-fed calves. The proportion of GIT was significantly lower in groups fed concentrates, but the weight of the reticulorumen was unaffected by solid feed. Concentrate feeding led to thicker keratin layer and epithelium as well as wider papillae in the rumen. Hay quality particularly affected the width of the papilla and epithelium thickness, while feeding hay without concentrate enhanced the thickness of submucosa and muscularis, as well as the size of parotid glands. In conclusion, the type of solid feed affects the development of the GIT with concentrate feeding holding the risk to induce keratinisation of rumen epithelium while enhancing performance and carcass traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate whether different methods of providing eubiotic feed additives to neonatal calves, during the preweaning period, can improve the calves’ health, performance, ruminal fermentation, and metabolic status. Forty-four (3-day-old) Holstein–Friesian dairy calves (22 female and 22 male) were divided into four treatment groups for the duration of the 8-week trial. The eubiotic feed additive consisted of a combination of probiotic Lactobacillus spp. (multiple-strains at a dose of 250 mg/calf/day) and phytobiotics containing rosmarinic acid, as the main bioactive compound (at a dose of 50 mg/calf/day). The groups were named: CON (control, without eubiotic in either the milk replacer or the starter feed), MR (eubiotic in the milk replacer), SF (eubiotic in the starter feed), MRS (eubiotic in both the milk replacer and the starter feed). The individual intake of starter feed and the fecal scores were measured daily, and body weight and biometric measurements were taken weekly until calves were 56 days of age. Blood samples were collected on day 3 and then every 14 days to determine concentrations of insulin-like-growth-factor-I, β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, and blood urea nitrogen. Ruminal fluid was collected on days 28 and 56 for short-chain fatty acids, NH3-N, and pH measurements. Results The body weight of the calves of the MR treatment group was higher compared to all other groups on days 28 and 56. Including the eubiotic feed additive in the milk replacer increased average daily gain, starter intake, and total dry matter intake from day 29 to day 56 and the overall experimental period compared to the CON group. The calves with MR treatment had lower fecal scores from days 3 to 28, a number of parasite oocysts/cysts per gram of feces on day 28, and the occurrences of fecal consistency scores of 3 (mild diarrhea) and 4 (severe diarrhea) were 3.2 and 3.0 times lower, respectively, compared with the CON group. The MR group had higher ruminal concentrations of short-chain-fatty-acids, propionate, and butyrate on day 56 than the CON group. Adding eubiotics into milk replacer resulted in the highest concentrations of blood insulin-like-growth-factor-I and β-hydroxybutyrate from days 29 to 56 and the overall experimental period. Conclusion The addition of eubiotic feed additives into the milk replacer can improve health, performance, ruminal fermentation, and biochemical blood indices in dairy calves during the preweaning period.

ABSTRACT: Concentrate-rich starter feeds are commonly fed to dairy calves to stimulate early solid feed intake and growth performance; yet, starter feeds lacking in forage fiber may jeopardize gut development. This research primarily aimed to test a complete or partial replacement of concentrates with hay of different qualities in the starter feed on nutrient intake, growth performance, apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and blood metabolites in dairy calves. Immediately after birth, 40 Holstein Friesian calves were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 starter diets, which differed in hay quality and concentrate inclusion [MQH = 100% medium-quality hay, 9.4 MJ of metabolizable energy (ME), 149 g of crude protein (CP), 522 g of neutral detergent fiber (NDF)/kg of dry matter (DM); HQH = 100% high-quality hay, 11.2 MJ of ME, 210 g of CP, 455 g of NDF/kg of DM; MQH+C = 30% medium-quality hay + 70% starter concentrate; HQH+C = 30% high-quality hay + 70% starter concentrate]. The concentrate consisted mainly of grains, oilseeds, and mineral supplements (13.5 MJ of ME, 193 g of CP, 204 g of NDF/kg of DM). Calves were used in the experiment from d 1 to 99 of life. During the first 4 wk, all calves were fed acidified whole milk ad libitum, and afterward they were gradually weaned from wk 5 to 12. Calves had ad libitum access to their starter diets and water throughout the experiment. Milk, water, and solid feed intake was recorded daily, live weight was measured once a week, and blood samples were collected on d 1, 3, 7, 21, 49, 77, and 91 and analyzed for selected metabolites. The ATTD was measured in wk 14 of life. Total DM intake and daily weight gain of calves were not affected by the starter feed during the first 8 wk of life. However, from wk 9 to 14, calves fed the MQH diet had lower DM, ME, and CP intake and gained less weight than calves from the other experimental groups. Feeding the HQH diet resulted in similar CP and ME intake and growth performance compared with calves receiving diets containing concentrates. Furthermore, feeding the HQH diet improved the ATTD of NDF, resulting in similar ATTD of organic matter with the HQH+C and MQH+C groups. Interestingly, calves fed the HQH+C diet showed less sorting for concentrate, compared with the MQH+C group. Concentration of blood metabolites, including glucose, lactate, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and total protein, did not differ after the first week of life. However, serum β-hydroxybutyrate was higher in calves fed the HQH diet starting from wk 11. Both groups fed the hay-only diets maintained higher cholesterol levels after weaning compared with the groups fed hay-concentrate mixtures. In conclusion, feeding high-quality hay can fully replace starter concentrates in the feeding of dairy calves without adverse effects on performance during the rearing period, while increasing forage fiber intake and utilization, which enhanced ruminal ketogenesis and cholesterogenesis around weaning. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term effects of feeding high-quality hay on health and development of dairy calves, especially in terms of the observed improvements in ruminal ketogenesis and cholesterogenesis around weaning.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate the morbidity and mortality associated with the most common diseases during the rearing period of Holstein calves in a high-production dairy farm. The calves (n = 600) were allocated to three groups based on age: G1 (1-7 days, n = 216), G2 (30-40 days, n = 188), and G3 (69-85 days, n = 196). They were evaluated over 60 days at eight different times. The morbidity rates were 47.67% (286/600) for diarrhea, 73.00% (438/600) for bovine respiratory disease (BRD), and 3.83% (23/600) for umbilical inflammation (UI). The mortality rate was 2.33% (14/600) for all the animals studied. The morbidity differed in the groups, with higher rates of diarrhea (78.85%, 166/216) and UI (6.94%, 15/216) in G1, and the highest rate of BRD in G3 (79.59%, 156/196). Diarrhea was associated with the occurrence of BRD in G1 and G2. Even in farms with good management practices, there is high morbidity associated with diarrhea and BRD, with the morbidity rate for diarrhea decreasing and that for BRD increasing as the animals get older. In addition, diarrhea is an important risk factor for BRD, especially in younger animals.

Although it is still most common to rear dairy calves separately from adult cattle, the interest in prolonged contact between dairy calves and lactating cows during early life is increasing. Previous research has documented positive effects of cow-calf contact (CCC) on for example early calf growth and udder health of suckled cows, but also negative effects such as increased separation distress and reduced weight gains after weaning. The aim of this study was to use information from European farms with prolonged cow-calf contact to identify innovative solutions to common challenges for CCC farms. Commercial dairy farms that kept calves with adult lactating cows for seven days or more after birth were invited to participate, and interviews were performed with 104 farmers from six countries. During interviews, information about farm management, calf rearing, farmers’ perception of animal health on their farm, and farmers’ drivers and barriers for implementing CCC were collected. We found that CCC was practised in a large variety of housing and management systems, and that calves could be reared together with their dam, with foster cows, or using a combination of the two. The contact period varied considerably (7–305 days) between farms and about 25% of the farms manually milk fed the calves during parts of the milk feeding period. Daily contact time varied between farms, from 30 minutes per day to permanent contact except at milking. Behaviours indicative of separation distress, most commonly vocalisation in cows and calves, were reported by 87% of the farmers. Strategies to alleviate separation distress, for example simultaneous gradual weaning and separation, were used on some farms. Building constraints were most often mentioned as a barrier for implementing CCC. Our findings suggest that CCC is practised in a variety of commonly used husbandry systems. Reported challenges were primarily related to weaning and separation, and to building constraints; these aspects should be areas of future research.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether different methods of providing eubiotic feed additives to neonatal calves, during the preweaning period, can improve the calves' health, performance, ruminal fermentation, and metabolic status. Forty-four (3-day-old) Holstein-Friesian dairy calves (22 female and 22 male) were divided into four treatment groups for the duration of the 8-week trial. The eubiotic feed additive consisted of a combination of probiotic Lactobacillus spp. (multiple-strains at a dose of 250 mg/calf/day) and phytobiotics containing rosmarinic acid, as the main bioactive compound (at a dose of 50 mg/calf/day). The groups were named: CON (control, without eubiotic in either the milk replacer or the starter feed), MR (eubiotic in the milk replacer), SF (eubiotic in the starter feed), MRS (eubiotic in both the milk replacer and the starter feed). The individual intake of starter feed and the fecal scores were measured daily, and body weight and biometric measurements were taken weekly until calves were 56 days of age. Blood samples were collected on day 3 and then every 14 days to determine concentrations of insulin-like-growthfactor-I, ß-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, and blood urea nitrogen. Ruminal fluid was collected on days 28 and 56 for short-chain fatty acids, NH3-N, and pH measurements. Results: The body weight of the calves of the MR treatment group was higher compared to all other groups on days 28 and 56. Including the eubiotic feed additive in the milk replacer increased average daily gain, starter intake, and total dry matter intake from day 29 to day 56 and the overall experimental period compared to the CON group. The calves with MR treatment had lower fecal scores from days 3 to 28, a number of parasite oocysts/cysts per gram of feces on day 28, and the occurrences of fecal consistency scores of 3 (mild diarrhea) and 4 (severe diarrhea) were 3.2 and 3.0 times lower, respectively, compared with the CON group. The MR group had higher ruminal concentrations of short-chain-fatty-acids, propionate, and butyrate on day 56 than the CON group. Adding eubiotics into milk replacer resulted in the highest concentrations of blood insulin-like-growth-factor-I and ß-hydroxybutyrate from days 29 to 56 and the overall experimental period. Conclusion: The addition of eubiotic feed additives into the milk replacer can improve health, performance, ruminal fermentation, and biochemical blood indices in dairy calves during the preweaning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrate-rich starter feeds are commonly fed to dairy calves to stimulate early solid feed intake and growth performance; yet, starter feeds lacking in forage fiber may jeopardize gut development. This research primarily aimed to test a complete or partial replacement of concentrates with hay of different qualities in the starter feed on nutrient intake, growth performance, apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and blood metabolites in dairy calves. Immediately after birth, 40 Holstein Friesian calves were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 starter diets, which differed in hay quality and concentrate inclusion [MQH = 100% medium-quality hay, 9.4 MJ of metabolizable energy (ME), 149 g of crude protein (CP), 522 g of neutral detergent fiber (NDF)/kg of dry matter (DM); HQH = 100% high-quality hay, 11.2 MJ of ME, 210 g of CP, 455 g of NDF/kg of DM; MQH+C = 30% medium-quality hay + 70% starter concentrate; HQH+C = 30% high-quality hay + 70% starter concentrate]. The concentrate consisted mainly of grains, oilseeds, and mineral supplements (13.5 MJ of ME, 193 g of CP, 204 g of NDF/kg of DM). Calves were used in the experiment from d 1 to 99 of life. During the first 4 wk, all calves were fed acidified whole milk ad libitum, and afterward they were gradually weaned from wk 5 to 12. Calves had ad libitum access to their starter diets and water throughout the experiment. Milk, water, and solid feed intake was recorded daily, live weight was measured once a week, and blood samples were collected on d 1, 3, 7, 21, 49, 77, and 91 and analyzed for selected metabolites. The ATTD was measured in wk 14 of life. Total DM intake and daily weight gain of calves were not affected by the starter feed during the first 8 wk of life. However, from wk 9 to 14, calves fed the MQH diet had lower DM, ME, and CP intake and gained less weight than calves from the other experimental groups. Feeding the HQH diet resulted in similar CP and ME intake and growth performance compared with calves receiving diets containing concentrates. Furthermore, feeding the HQH diet improved the ATTD of NDF, resulting in similar ATTD of organic matter with the HQH+C and MQH+C groups. Interestingly, calves fed the HQH+C diet showed less sorting for concentrate, compared with the MQH+C group. Concentration of blood metabolites, including glucose, lactate, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and total protein, did not differ after the first week of life. However, serum β-hydroxybutyrate was higher in calves fed the HQH diet starting from wk 11. Both groups fed the hay-only diets maintained higher cholesterol levels after weaning compared with the groups fed hay-concentrate mixtures. In conclusion, feeding high-quality hay can fully replace starter concentrates in the feeding of dairy calves without adverse effects on performance during the rearing period, while increasing forage fiber intake and utilization, which enhanced ruminal ketogenesis and cholesterogenesis around weaning. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term effects of feeding high-quality hay on health and development of dairy calves, especially in terms of the observed improvements in ruminal ketogenesis and cholesterogenesis around weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the inclusion of chopped straw into a diet with pelleted starter feed on starter intake, growth performance, fermentation and blood metabolites of dairy calves during the pre‐ and post‐weaning periods. Forty‐four Holstein‐Friesian female dairy calves were randomly assigned to four treatments: control (CON, starter without straw; n = 11), low straw (LS, starter feed containing 10% dry matter basis straw; n = 11), medium straw (MS, starter feed containing 15% dry matter basis straw; n = 11) and high straw (HS, starter feed containing 20% dry matter basis straw; n = 11). Starter intake and total dry matter intake were recorded daily, and bodyweight weekly until 84 days of age. The highest starter intake and total dry matter intake were noted in the LS and MS treatments during the post‐weaning, and overall experiment periods. Also, the average daily gain was greater during the pre‐weaning period for LS and MS than HS. Increasing chopped straw content in the starter feeds from 0% to 15% increased ruminal pH, especially at day 28, and molar concentration of acetate, and decreased concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and propionate throughout the trial. Concentrations of butyrate in the rumen were lower at day 28, and higher at day 56 and 84 in straw‐supplemented calves compared to the CON treatment. Increasing chopped straw content in the starters feeds from 0% to 15% increased the total counts of bacteria and protozoa, but then this counts decreased with the content of 20% chopped straw. In conclusion, the inclusion of chopped triticale straw from 10% to 15% in the diet with pelleted starter feed can improve performance, and rumen fermentation in calves; however, increasing the dietary inclusion of straw to 20% can negatively affect growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparison of the effects of all forage offering methods would be particularly useful information in modeling growth performance and rumen fermentation of dairy calves. Therefore, this study attempted to evaluate the effects of methods of oat hay provision on growth performance, rumen fermentation and biochemical blood indices of dairy calves during preweaning and postweaning periods. At birth, 40 female Polish Holstein-Friesian calves (3 days of age; 39.6 ± 0.39 kg BW) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups differing in the access to chopped oat hay: CON (control, starter without oat hay), OH (starter feed containing 10% DM basis oat hay), OH-FC (starter feed containing 10% DM basis oat hay and oat hay fed as free-choice provision in different buckets) and FC (starter feed and oat hay fed as free-choice provision in different buckets). The calves were weaned on day 56, and then the study continued until day 84. Intakes of starter feed and oat hay were recorded daily, whereas BW and hip height (HH) on day 3 and then every 14 days. Samples of blood were collected on the initiation of experiment and then every 14 days, and rumen contents on day 28, 56 and 84. No treatment effects were found for starter, starch, CP, total DM intake, average daily gain, feeding efficiency, change in HH, ruminal fluid pH, concentrations of ruminal propionate and NH3-N, concentrations of urea nitrogen and non-esterified fatty acids in the blood. There were differences between treatments in terms of ruminal total volatile fatty acids and molar concentrations of acetate, butyrate and acetate to propionate ratio; highest in OH and OH-FC groups, especially during the postweaning period. On the other hand, lower concentrations of iso-valerate were found in OH and OH-FC groups on day 56 and 84. The concentrations of IGF-I throughout the experiment and β-hydroxybutyrate during the postweaning period in the blood were influenced by treatment, with the greatest values observed in OH and OH-FC calves. Results of this study indicate that starter feed containing chopped oat hay improves rumen fermentation parameters, which might allow successful transition from preruminant to mature ruminant state. Also, providing chopped oat hay with pelleted starter feed seems to be a better method than free-choice supplementation.

The replacement program in a dairy farm represents the second or third largest cost in a dairy operation. This study aimed to characterize and typify the practices related to the dairy heifer replacement program and describe the growth, development, and health parameters during this period in commercial dairy herds in Trenque Lauquen. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out, including 54 randomly selected dairy farms that were visited once to collect data about facilities and management through a semi-structured survey. Cluster and principal coordinates analysis were applied to classify the farms based on all variables collected, grouped in four main areas: pre-fresh cows, colostrum management, pre-weaning calf ’s management, and personnel. Additionally, growth, development, and health status were also recorded and described for calves and breeding heifers. Two similar-sized farm clusters were identified with differences in management and facilities in different areas of calves rearing. In one cluster there was a greater proportion of farms having a pre-fresh group, implementing appropriate health (colostrum, vaccination) and feeding management. Also, differences in personnel and technical support were relevant. The estimated body gain was 452 and 774 g/d for calves younger or older than 60 d of age, respectively. The age and weight farm averages in breeding heifers were 21.0 mo (range: 16.7-27.5) and 416.3 kg (range: 336.7-519.3), respectively. Diarrhea and respiratory affections were the major problems in pre-weaning calves and heifer rearing, respectively. The median mortality was 7.3, 7.6, and 2.9% at the calving, pre-weaning, and heifer rearing period, respectively. The results showed an improvement opportunity for producers, the design of precise and high impact programs that could lead to an improved replacement program.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of initial serum total protein (STP) concentration, average starter feed intake (SI) during the last week of the preweaning period, and average daily gain (ADG) on the growth, fertility, and performance of Holstein heifers during their first lactation. Eighty-four female Holstein dairy calves were weaned at d 56 of age and then the study continued until the end of the first lactation. Growth performance, including body weight, ADG, withers height, and its change were analyzed monthly from 3 to 450 d of life, and reproduction data and performance in the first lactation of primiparous dairy heifers over a 4-yr period (2015 to 2019) were recorded. In the first 24 h of life, calves received 4 L of colostrum (<2 h and <12 h after birth); on d 2 and 3: 2 feedings/d of 2 L of transition milk; from d 4 to 49: 6 L/d of milk replacer (150 g of powder/L as-fed) in 3 feedings; and from d 50 to 56: 2 L/d of milk replacer in 1 feeding. The calves were fed pelleted starter feed from d 4 to 56, and after that from 8 wk until 3 mo of age, a dry total mixed ration with an 85:15 ratio of weaning pelleted starter to straw. From 3 to 7 mo and from 8 mo of age to calving, the total mixed ration contained 16.9% and ~14.0% crude protein, respectively, on a dry matter basis and ~2.40 Mcal of metabolizable energy/kg on a dry matter basis. The results of the current study showed that the initial STP concentration of primiparous dairy heifers was associated with improved growth performance, especially greater body weight and withers height. In addition, with increasing levels of initial STP concentration, age at first estrus, artificial insemination (AI) service, pregnancy, and calving was decreased by 16, 18, 25, and 25 d, respectively. Initial STP concentration was positively correlated with milk production and increased total milk yield and yield of energy-corrected milk by about 1,558 kg and 1,149 kg during first lactation. Calves with higher average starter feed intake during the last week of the preweaning period had better growth performance, which in turn was positively associated with fertility parameters, accelerated first estrus (by 17 d), and reduced age at AI service (by 13 d). Preweaning ADG was favorably associated with fertility performance of heifers, with faster occurrence of first estrus and a reduction in age at AI service, pregnancy, and calving. Also, increasing preweaning ADG increased milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk at 305 DIM by about 829, 754, and 763 kg at first lactation of primiparous heifers. These results indicate that in the rearing period, particular attention should be paid to the initial STP concentration, average SI during the last week of this period, and rearing ADG to increase growth, fertility, and performance in the first lactation of primiparous dairy heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to conduct a broad survey of newly born calves management practices that have an effect on animal behavior and mortality. Animal's farms were visited during the summer of 2019 in new valley government. Data were collected on 70 farms to answer the questions about Calving pen presence, calves raising method, colostrum feeding number or volume, mortality rate, care of newly born animal, weaning age and method used. The obtained data showed that, 85% of Calves were raised by the owner till fatting and 13 % were pursued from the market, A total of 95% of owners haven't calving pen in thier frame beside that, 73% of them were fed all colostrum during 6 hours after parturition and 60% of them were feed colostrum two days. On the other hand, 67% of owners did not used disinfectant after parturition which associated with 22% mortality rate of newly born calves. Finally data obtained show that, about 75% of owners were weaned the animal more than 4 month with gradually weaning type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1.Cook Inlet beluga whales (CIBWs; Delphinapterus leucas), are an isolated and declining endangered population in Alaska, USA. Their critical habitat has been broadly defined, with little empirical data on habitat use to direct management actions. This article examines data collected during surveys for a long‐term photo‐ID study to gain insight into the use of critical habitat by CIBW groups and individuals, with a focus on areas where belugas were observed feeding, calving, rearing young, and in transit. It also describes patterns of group distribution, size, and composition, according to sex and age class, in order to better understand how CIBWs are distributed throughout critical habitat during the ice‐free season. The results are presented according to survey month and survey zone, so that patterns of habitat use are accessible in a useful format to aid managers in evaluations of how timing and location of human activities occurring in CIBW critical habitat may overlap with CIBW occurrence and use of these areas.2.There were 575 beluga groups encountered during 477 photo‐ID surveys conducted in CIBW critical habitat 2005–2017. CIBW locations were mapped, and models were developed to test for temporal and spatial patterns. Approximately 400 individual whales were identified, and their sighting histories were compiled to examine residency and movement patterns.3.CIBWs were found seasonally in distinct areas, where they aggregate in large groups of both sexes and all age classes while rearing calves and feeding. These areas, and the general corridors connecting them, represent important beluga habitat that warrant focused management attention and protection efforts.4.Whales travelling among distinct areas of Cook Inlet increase their likelihood of exposure to multiple, localized threats.5.Habitat protection and the regulation of anthropogenic activities should consider cumulative effects of all activities in the range of CIBWs and their potential to affect the entire population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research communication I show the effect of various cow–calf contact systems on milk yield and milk composition during the periods when calves where allowed to suckle their dams and after the calves were separated in comparison to cows that were only machine milked throughout their lactation. Analyses were based on four different experiments, but conducted at the same research station and under comparable housing and feeding conditions. Nursing dams had contact to their calves during the whole day, during night-time or only twice per day shortly before milking. A control group of cows that had no contact to their offspring was part of every experiment. Data of the regular monthly milk recordings were analysed with linear mixed models. Results showed a significant effect of the suckling system on the machine milk yield over the whole lactation. While cows with night-time contact reached the milk production level of the control cows, cows with whole day or short-time contact still produced less milk after the calves were separated. Fat content was always lower during the suckling period but not afterwards. The significantly higher milk protein content in dams with calf contact requires further investigation. Somatic cell count in milk of nursing dams was slightly increased, probably due to the exposure of the teats to frequent suckling in addition to machine milkings. In conclusion, cow–calf contact systems influence the performance of cows during and after the suckling period but to varying degrees depending on the system adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dairy calves are the future stock of the dairy farms. It is important to describe weaknesses in rearing calves not only to improve their welfare, but also to detect areas where current scientific knowledge is poorly integrated into practice. The aim of the present study was to gather information on calf rearing management practices followed by dairy owners, which are related to welfare. Methods: A survey of calf rearing practices was conducted using a farmer questionnaire to collect data. The survey included 140 family-based smalldairy units in seven upazilas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. Percentage (%) of values was calculated for different variable. Results: We observed that all respondents attended their animals during calving and 82.14% respondents allowed cow to clean the calves immediately after calving. Only 13.57% farmers cleaned the mouth and nose of calf after birth. More than 85.0% owners cleaned and trimmed hooves of the calf after birth. More than 90%% respondents did not cut the naval cord of calf and apply antiseptic. More than half of the owners (54.28%) fed colostrum to calves when the animals were able to stand on their feet and only 37.14% of them fed colostrum within one hour of birth. About 44.28% respondents allowed adlib quantity of colostrum to calf. It was found that 73.57% of the owners allowed suckling of calf until 3 to 6 month of age. Most of the owners (55.0%) allowed the calves to suckle all the quarter of udder before and after milking. None practiced castration and dehorning for male calves. Majority (97.14%) of farmers did not perform deworming and vaccination schedule of calves. Conclusion: This study identified a number of rearing practices that represent a poor welfare for calf which may prone towards diseases and hampering the productivity. So in addition to the traditional practices, scientific knowledge for this aspect is also important to get superior animals for future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calves are the reserve forces for dairy cattle. Scientific rearing strategy of calves is the basis of efficient cattle breeding. However, many problems exist in current rearing systems of calves and restrict the sustainable development of dairy cattle in China. The absence of basic research is the most highlighted problem among them. Recent researches on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical indices and rumen development in calves were summarized in this paper. Additionally, the optimal levels of energy and protein in milk replacer and starter diets for calves were indicated, and limiting amino acids for calves fed different diets were discussed. A variety of additives, such as acidifiers, probiotics and polysaccharides, are regarded as promising alternatives to antibiotics to reduce disease in calves. Dietary supplementations of these additives have positive effects on growth and health of calves. However, studies on the nutrition of vitamins and minerals in calves have been seldom done, and deserve our further researches. To sum up, the postnatal period is one of the most critical “windows” for rumen manipulation and epigenetic regulation. Any changes from environments, especially early nutrition, may produce long-term effects on growth, health and milk yields in adult cattle.

To date, there have been few studies on the health effects of foster cow systems, including the transmission of mastitis-associated pathogens during suckling. The present study aimed to compare the pathogens detected in the mammary glands of the foster cow with those in the oral cavities of the associated foster calves and to evaluate the resulting consequences for udder health, calf health and internal biosecurity. Quarter milk sampling of 99 foster cows from an organic dairy farm was conducted twice during the foster period. Oral cavity swabs were taken from 345 foster calves. Furthermore, quarter milk samples were collected from 124 biological dams to investigate possible transmission to the foster cows via the suckling calves. All samples were microbiologically examined and confirmed by MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass-spectrometry). Using RAPD-PCR (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction), strain similarities were detected for Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, S. sciuri and Streptococcus (Sc.) suis. Transmission of P. multocida and S. aureus probably occurred during suckling. For S. sciuri and Sc. suis, environmental origins were assumed. Transmission from dam to foster cow with the suckling calf as vector could not be clearly demonstrated.

The authors carried out their research in Holstein-Friesian breed under the conditions of organic farming. The colostrum antibody content was measured as a function of the time elapsed since calving, the authors also measured the effect of the time of the first colostrum on the antibody level of the 48-hour calf serum and on the number of days of disease until the 10th day of life. The efficacy of a commercially available bovine colostrum product against fresh colostrum has also been investigated. Colostrum at calving Brix % (control value) 26.96+/-3.11; after 12 hours 17.50+/-1.30 (65% of control value); after 24 hours 8.04+/-0.92 (30% of control value) (n = 10; SD5% = 1.85). Brix % of the serum of 48-hour calves, fed immediately after birth (control value) 9.06+/-0.73; fed 2 hours later 7.32+/-0.34 (81 % of control value); fed 4 hours later 5.86+/-0.35 (65 % of control value). In case of calves fed by the colostrum product just after birth 7.66+/-0.24 (85 % of control value) (n = 10; SD5% = 0.41). The number of days of disease per 1 calf being fed immediately after birth is 0.4; that in the 2-hour group is 0.8; in the 4-hour group 1.3; in the group with the colostrum product it is 0.5 – it shows a very close second degree correlation with serum Brix % values (R2 = 0.9559). It can be stated that the content of colostrum antibody (Brix %) decreased rapidly after calving. In case of calves, the more time passed between the birth and first colostrum feeding the less effective it was to pick up the antibody from the colostrum, which is supported by the Brix % of serum and the number of days of disease, as well. Each group received colostrum milked immediately after calving, only the time of first drink was different. If necessary, timely drinking of a good quality colostrum preparation can be an appropriate alternative for calves, but their mothers’ fresh colostrum is a more reliable protection. The results confirm that calf rearing by feeding them with colostrum after birth is the most sensitive segment of cattle breeding and that well-functioning colostrum management is key to establishing well-producing stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken at the calf rearing project (CRP) of AMUL at Sarsa Village, Anand, Gujarat to assess the conception rate and sorting efficiency of imported sexed semen of HF bulls. In all, 127 pubertal crossbred heifers (b.wt. 250-300 kg) were artificially inseminated during the year 2016-17 using 172 sexed semen doses (few with repeat insemination), resulting in 68 pregnancies. The conception rate of sexed semen was found to be 39.53%. Out of 68 pregnant heifers, 2 heifers aborted and one heifer died before calving. Out of rest 65 animals that calved, 54 heifers delivered female calves, 9 had male calves and two were female stillbirth. Thus, sexed semen produced 86.15% female calves and 13.85 % male calves. This small scale study highlights the success of sexed semen under field condition in producing calves of the desired sex in high percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammary gland secretion is the first source of nutrients for the newborn calf. Liquid feeds constitute an essential part of daily ration during the first weeks of life. Whole milk is commonly substituted by commercial milk replacers. Young calves should receive properly balanced rations. They need a large amount of amino acids, which are required for protein synthesis. Not only dietary protein content, but also its digestibility and amino acid composition, have a great impact on performance and metabolism of fast growing calves. The aim of this paper was to present the aspects connected with amino acids in calves rearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast cultures have been widely investigated as feed additives to improve growth and health of animals. However, most of the research has focused on Saccharomyces cerevisiae products, whereas effects of non-conventional species such as Yarrowia lipolytica are not yet known. Y. lipolytica is a non-pathogenic yeast which can metabolize glycerol among other important industrial byproducts and is rich in fat and many other nutritional and bioactive compounds. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Y. lipolytica culture added to colostrum and milk replacer on reticuloruminal fermentation, biochemical blood indices, and growth rate of calves. During the first 56 d of life, 24 Polish Holstein-Friesian calves were grouped by sex (equal numbers of bulls and heifers) and parity (equal numbers of calves born to primiparous and multiparous cows) and assigned randomly to 2 treatments: yeast culture (YL, Y. lipolytica yeast, n = 12) or control (CON, without yeast additive, n = 12). Y. lipolytica yeast culture was incorporated into colostrum or milk replacer at a dosage of 30 g/d (15 g/feeding; 10 8 CFU/g). Calves fed YL had higher body weight on d 28 ( P  =  0.012) and on d 56 ( P  =  0.011). In the same group, higher average daily gain from d 3 to 28 ( P  =  0.012), from d 29 to 56 ( P  =  0.033), and for the entire experimental period ( P  =  0.011) were noted. From d 3 to 56, the YL increased changes in body length ( P  =  0.024), hip width ( P  =  0.029) and heart girth ( P  <  0.001). Calves fed YL had higher counts of Entodiniomorphida , Holotricha and total bacteria in reticulorumen ( P   <  0.001). Both age of calves and treatment affected all biochemical blood indices considered in this study with the exception of β -hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), which level did not change over time. In the YL group, lower level of blood Mg ( P   <  0.001) and higher blood concentrations of BHBA ( P  =  0.001), non-esterified fatty acids ( P  <  0.001), blood urea nitrogen on d 14 and 42 ( P  = 0.009), and Ca ( P   <  0.001) were noted. No effect of YL was observed on reticuloruminal fluid pH, and concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate, as well as acetate to propionate ratio ( P  >  0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sample of 90 respondents’ was collected for present study from Shamli district in Indo-Gangetic plain zone. Sugarcane tops were the main fodder crop from October to May months. The sugarcane tops were fed with mix of berseem or mustard cake or others concentrates from January to May. 31.11% respondents used wheat straw mixed with other green fodders followed by jowar, karbi, berseem and lobia as 27.77, 3.33, 2.22 and 2.22%, respectively. It was found that 28.80% animals were milch animal in study area. 38.88% of the respondents provided colostrums within 2 h of birth, 2–4 within hours and the placenta. It was also observed that 43.33% allowed suckling of their calf upto six months. However, 91.11% of the respondents did not dehorn calve. The adoption level regarding feeding practices of cow rearing was providing clean and fresh drinking water which have higher180 score (I rank) of feeding and lowest score was grazing which found only 17score (X ranks), followed 172, 103, 98, 96,102, 97, 69, and 47 score occupied the ranks III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX, respectively. Out of eight practices included in adoption of calf rearing management practices, Feeding of colostrum to newly born calves within 2 h after the birth was the highest score and occupied (Ist rank). The II and III ranks were occupied by attending newly born calf and proper cleaning of mucous from mouth and nostrils 139 score and trimming of hooves 94 score, respectively. Lighting and disinfection of naval cord, regular deworming of calves, right time method of dehorning and right time castration were VI, V, VI, VII, and VIII ranks, respectively. However, such types of practices are followed for sustainable livestock husbandry in this area since long time.

Abstract Driven by consumer demands, European legislation has suggested the use of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) as the quality risk management programme for the whole dairy chain. Until now, an exception has been made for primary producers, but as regulations evolve, on-farm HACCP-like programmes should be ready to assure food safety as well as animal health and animal welfare. In our field experiment, the HACCP-concept was used to combine both optimal farm management and formalisation of quality assurance in an on-farm situation in the Netherlands. The process of young stock rearing was chosen, since its importance for the future of the farm is often underestimated. Hazards and their associated risk factors can be controlled within the farm-specific standards and tolerances, as targets can be controlled by corrective measures and by implementation of farm-specific worksheets. The veterinarian is pivotal for the facility-based HACCP team, since he/she has knowledge about on-farm risk assessment and relations between clinical pathology, feed and farm management. The HACCP concept in combination with veterinary herd health and production management programmes offers a promising approach to optimise on-farm production processes (i.e., young stock rearing) in addition to a structural approach for quality risk management on dairy farms.

In systems where dairy cows are milked and additionally suckle their calves during the first months of lactation, problems with alveolar milk ejection during machine-milking occur. As olfaction is a key sense for kin recognition and acceptance at the udder, olfactory stimulation might alleviate this challenge. In this pilot study, we investigated whether cows behaviourally respond to calf hair presented in the parlour, and whether this is affected by suckling the own calf or not. Discrimination between hair of the own calf in a thin cloth bag (‘own’), hair of an alien calf (‘alien’) and a control cloth bag without calf hair (‘no’) was tested among 17 multiparous and 6 primiparous cows with free calf-contact (‘contact’) and 13 multiparous and 4 primiparous cows separated within 12 h after parturition from their calves (‘control’). Both groups were milked twice daily in a tandem milking parlour, where they were individually tested in six consecutive milkings (trials) starting between the 12th and 20th day of lactation. Two of three olfactory stimuli were simultaneously presented. Sniffing or licking of the stimuli during the first minutes of milking (response duration in % of total observation time) and number of trials with any response (frequency of responses) were recorded. Calf hair (‘own’ or ’alien’) elicited responses in 60% of the animals at least once, but altogether there were only overt responses in 23% of trials. Significant differences in responsiveness towards the different stimuli were found in terms of frequency of responses for all cows (n = 28 without missing data, p = 0.003). Response duration differed significantly for all responsive multiparous cows (n = 12, p = 0.049) and in tendency for all responsive heifers (n = 8, p = 0.061) and for responsive ‘contact’ cows and heifers (n = 11, p = 0.034). In all these cases, responses were highest for ‘own’, intermediate for ‘alien’ and lowest for ‘no’. In the post hoc tests, no significant differences between ‘own’ and ‘alien’ could be detected. Despite low response rates to the presented olfactory stimuli in general, we conclude that the responsive multiparous cows and ‘contact’ heifers were able to perceive the presented calf odour and preferred to sniff/lick those stimuli compared to a stimulus with ‘no’ odour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]