Electronic feeding behavioural data as indicators of health status in dairy calves

AbstractThe objectives of this study were (i) to characterise clinical health in dairy calves on an Irish research farm during the artificial calf-rearing period and (ii) to determine whether calves’ pre-weaning intakes and feeding behaviour, recorded by electronic calf feeders, changes in response to incidents of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Holstein-Friesian (H-F) and Jersey (J) calves were fed by automatic milk replacer (MR) and concentrate feeders. Feeding behaviour, including MR consumption, drinking speed, number of rewarded and unrewarded visits to the feeder as well as concentrate consumption, was recorded by the feeders. A modified version of the Wisconsin calf health scoring criteria chart was used to score calves’ clinical measurements and identify incidences of BRD. Thus, 40% of calves were found to have at least one incident of BRD. Feeding behaviour was altered during incidents of BRD. The number of unrewarded visits to the feeder was reduced, by approximately four visits, for calves with BRD during the 3 d prior to the identification of BRD(P< 0.05) and tended to be reduced during the 7 d following the identification of BRD(P= 0.05), compared with healthy calves. Additionally, calves with BRD had a tendency for reduced net energy intake (approximately 8%) during the 3 d prior to the identification of BRD, compared with healthy calves. Therefore, calf feeding behavioural data, recorded by electronic feeders during the pre-weaning period, can indicate cases of BRD.

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Energy and protein requirements of crossbred Holstein × Gyr calves fed milk with milk replacer containing increasing dry-matter concentrations

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an18773 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (15) ◽

pp. 1800

Author(s):

M. R. Jolomba ◽

A. L. Silva ◽

C. M. Veloso ◽

R. A. Azevedo ◽

S. G. Coelho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Raw Milk ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Energy Requirements ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Net Energy ◽

Nutrient Requirements ◽

Protein Requirement ◽

Protein Requirements ◽

Metabolisable Energy

Context There is a lack of studies concerning the nutrient requirements of dairy calves, mainly, evaluating different genetic groups. Aims The objective was to quantify energy and protein requirements of dairy calves up to 60 days, testing the influence of genetic composition (Holstein or crossbred Holstein × Gyr) on these requirements. Methods The study involved 42 bull calves (3 days of age), including animals with less than 15/16 Holstein composition (considered crossbred) and animals with more than 15/16 Holstein pedigree (considered purebred). Six calves were slaughtered at the start of the experiment to estimate the initial body composition of the animals. Of the remaining animals, four formed the maintenance group (fed 3 L/day of raw milk), and the other 32 were distributed into four treatments, which consisted of 6 L/day of raw milk, with increasing DM contents of 13.5%, 16.1%, 18.2% and 20.4% respectively. The DM contents were corrected for adding milk replacer to the raw milk. All animals had free access to starter feed and water. Digestibility trials were conducted at 28 and 56 days of life, with total faeces collection being performed for 5 days and urine collection for a period of 24 h. At 60 days of life, the animals were slaughtered to determine their body composition. Key results Net energy requirements for maintenance and metabolisable energy requirements for maintenance were 57.6 and 86.8 kcal/(empty bodyweight, EBW)0.75.day respectively. The efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy for maintenance was 66%. Net energy requirements for gain (NEg, Mcal/day) can be estimated by the following equation: , where EBG is empty body gain (kg/day) and EBW is in kilograms. The efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy for gain was 27%. The metabolisable-protein requirement for maintenance was 3.22 g/EBW0.75.day. Net protein requirement for gain (NPg, g/day) can be estimated by the following equation:, where RE is retained energy (Mcal/day). The efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable protein for gain was 59.1%. Conclusions Genetic group does not affect energy or protein requirements of pre-weaned calves. The estimates presented here can be used to calculate nutrient requirements of pre-weaned calves aged up to 60 days. Implications Inclusion of milk replacer in the liquid feed had a negative impact on diet quality.

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Effects of lipid and starch supplementation as water intake mitigation techniques on performance and efficiency of Nursing Holstein Calves

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab103 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

A Macias-Franco ◽

A E M da Silva ◽

F H de Moura ◽

A B Norris ◽

K Van Den Broek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Water Intake ◽

Corn Starch ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Net Energy ◽

Total Water ◽

Holstein Calves ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Net Energy Intake

Abstract Exploring alternative supplementation sources capable of maximizing feed and water efficiency in nursing Holstein calves is often ignored. The goals herein involve investigating the effects of two isoenergetic supplements on a non-medicated milk replacer diet on total water intake, milk water intake, fresh water intake, feed intake parameters, and performance of Holstein nursing bull calves. Twenty-three animals (body weight [BW] = 94.67 ± 12.07 kg, age = 67 days old) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments for 68 days: control (CON; ad libitum milk replacer, n = 7), carbohydrate supplement (CHO; corn starch on top of ad libitum milk replacer-based diet, n = 8), or lipid supplement (FAT; menhaden fish oil on top of ad libitum milk replacer-based diet, n = 8). The isoenergetic supplementation consisted of 3% menhaden fish oil addition on DM basis for FAT. This was matched energetically with corn starch for the CHO group resulting in a 7% composition in DM basis. All animals were provided free access to mineral mix and 120 g daily dried microbrewer’s spent grains (BG). Data were analyzed with the GLMMIX procedure of SAS in a completely randomized design with the diets as a fixed effect. Dry matter intake (DMI) adjusted by average daily gain (ADG; DMI/ADG) resulted in significantly lower values for supplemented groups with CON = 2.48, CHO = 2.38, and FAT = 2.27 kg/kg(ADG) (P = 0.033). Energy intake values were lower for CON when analyzing metabolizable energy intake (P < 0.0001), net energy intake for maintenance (P < 0.0001), and net energy intake for gain (P < 0.0001), followed by CHO, and then FAT. Total water intake (P < 0.0001), milk water intake (P < 0.0001), and fresh water intake (P < 0.0001) all resulted in CHO consuming 0.5 L or less water than the other two treatments. Energy requirements as digestible energy (P < 0.0001), metabolizable energy (P < 0.0001), net energy for maintenance (P < 0.0001), and net energy for gain (P < 0.0001) were lower for CHO, followed by CON, and then FAT having the highest requirements. Similar results were observed for residual feed (RFI; P = 0.006) and residual water intakes (RTWI; P = 0.902). Ultimately, no performance differences were detected with regards to BW, (CON = 146.71, CHO = 146.25, and FAT = 150.48 kg; P > 0.1). These results indicate that lipid-based and starch-based supplementation can potentially increase feed efficiency and decrease voluntary water intake without adversely affecting performance.

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Using Non-Invasive Monitoring Technologies to Capture Behavioural, Physiological and Health Responses of Dairy Calves to Different Nutritional Regimes during the First Ten Weeks of Life

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9100760 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 760 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Scoley ◽

Gordon ◽

Morrison

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Invasive Monitoring ◽

Calf Health ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Monitoring Technologies

This study aimed to examine the use of non-invasive monitoring technologies as a means of capturing behavioural, physiological and health responses of calves allocated to different nutritional regimes. Seventy-four Holstein Friesian calves were individually penned and allocated to receive either high (HML) or conventional (CML) milk replacer (MR) levels between 5–70 days of age. Additionally calves were allocated to one of four forage treatments: (i) chopped straw offered between 14–70 days of age (CS14), (ii) chopped straw offered between 56–70 days of age (CS56), (iii) grass silage offered between 56–70 days of age (GS56), and (iv) no forage in the pre-wean period (NF). A representative sample of calves from each treatment were fitted with activity sensors and heart rate monitors throughout the experimental period to examine lying behaviour and heart rate variability, respectively. Thermal images of the eye and rectal area of each calf were taken 5 days/week between 5–77 days of age. Faecal and respiratory scoring of each individual calf was carried out on a daily basis throughout the experimental period. Milk replacer feeding level had limited effects on measures of calf health, although HML calves tended to have an increased likelihood for receiving treatment for scour than CML calves. Daily lying time (min/d) was lower in HML calves following reduction in MR feeding frequency at 43 days of age and weaning at 71 days of age when compared with CML calves. Additionally, HML calves displayed a lower heart rate variability following weaning, this suggestive of increased stress load. There were limited effects of forage treatment, however, CS14 calves displayed a greater daily lying time following MR step-down at 68 days of age, this potentially indicating increased rumination. Results of the present study highlight the benefits of using remote monitoring technologies as a means of detecting behavioural and physiological changes as a result of nutritional management strategy in individually housed dairy calves.

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Effect of plane of milk replacer intake and age on glucose and insulin kinetics and abomasal emptying in female Holstein Friesian dairy calves fed twice daily

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2015-10826 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 99 (10) ◽

pp. 8007-8017 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

J.A.R. MacPherson ◽

H. Berends ◽

L.N. Leal ◽

J.P. Cant ◽

J. Martín-Tereso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Calves ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Insulin Kinetics ◽

Holstein Friesian

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The performance of Holstein-Friesian and Jersey calves when fed two concentrations of a high protein milk replacer

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s175275620001098x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2005 ◽

pp. 187-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. H. M. Speijers ◽

J. R. S. O. Langa ◽

J. Struthers ◽

J. Twigge ◽

J. R. Scaife

Keyword(s):

Critical Period ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

High Protein ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Artificial Rearing ◽

Calf Growth ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Protein Milk ◽

Effect Of Feeding

Artificial rearing is a common practice for rearing calves from the dairy herd, either for replacement heifers or for beef production. The period from birth to weaning is a critical period for the calf and nutrition is one of the components important to ensure successful rearing of calves. Improved nutrition that allows earlier weaning through a rapid calf growth has the potential to decrease costs. Moreover, it has been shown that healthy, vigorous and well-grown weanling heifers may enter the milking herd sooner (Davis and Drackley, 1998). The objective of this study was to examine the effect of feeding two concentrations of a high protein milk replacer on the health and growth performance of dairy calves until weaning.

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Observational Study on Variation of Longitudinal Platelet Counts in Calves over the First 14 Days of Life and Reference Intervals from Cross-Sectional Platelet and Leukocyte Counts in Dairy Calves up to Two Months of Age

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 347

Author(s):

Emma Strous ◽

Arne Vanhoudt ◽

Anja Smolenaars ◽

Gerdien van Schaik ◽

Matthijs Schouten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Observational Study ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adult Cattle ◽

Platelet Counts ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Leukocyte Counts ◽

Count Reference

Platelet and leukocyte count reference intervals (RIs) for cattle differ by age and while adult RIs are known, RIs for calves are studied less. The aims of this observational study are to evaluate variation of platelet counts of Holstein Friesian calves over the first 14 days of life and to propose RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts of Holstein Friesian calves aged 0–60 days. In a longitudinal study, 19 calves were blood sampled 17 times, in the first 14 days of their lives. Blood was collected in a citrate blood tube and platelet counts were determined. We assessed the course of platelet counts. In a field study, 457 healthy calves were blood sampled once. Blood was collected in an EDTA blood tube and platelet and leukocyte counts were determined. The RIs were calculated by the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Platelet counts started to increase 24 h after birth (mean platelet count 381 × 109/L ± 138 × 109/L) and stabilized after five days (mean platelet count 642 × 109/L ± 265 × 109/L). In calves up to six days of age, platelet counts were lower than in calves older than five days. In conclusion, the RIs of platelet and leukocyte counts in calves were wider in range than the RIs for adult cattle, therefore, calf specific RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts should be used. From 6 until 60 days of age, we propose an RI for platelet counts of 287–1372 × 109/L and for the first 60 days of life an RI for leukocyte counts of 4.0–18.9 × 109/L.

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Clinical observations, biochemical data, and postmortem and histopathologic findings in young dairy calves fed zeolite clinoptilolite binder combined with milk replacer

American Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.2460/ajvr.69.12.1587 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 69 (12) ◽

pp. 1587-1594 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Douglas L. Step ◽

Noah B. Litherland ◽

Luis O. Burciaga-Robles ◽

Melanie A. Breshears ◽

Clinton R. Krehbiel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Calves ◽

Biochemical Data ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Clinical Observations ◽

Histopathologic Findings

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131 Can Maternal Nutrition in Dairy Cattle Impact Gut Health in Dairy Calves?

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.126 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 69-70

Author(s):

Lautaro Rostoll Cangiano ◽

Nilusha Malmuthuge ◽

Tao Ma ◽

Leluo Guan ◽

Michael A Steele

Keyword(s):

Developmental Plasticity ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Critical Role ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Gastrointestinal Function ◽

Dairy Calf ◽

Gastrointestinal Health ◽

Nutrition Research ◽

Pregnancy And Postpartum

Abstract The nutritional management, health and welfare of the dairy calf has historically received less attention due to limited research, and recommendations largely focused on passive transfer of immunity and early weaning strategies. Gastrointestinal diseases and disorders remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in dairy calves worldwide. Despite the recent thrust in dairy calf nutrition research, major knowledge gaps still exist regarding how maternal nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum impact gastrointestinal health and function, especially during the fetal and neonatal stages when the developmental plasticity is highest. Recent research has focused on how prepartum nutrition and management can influence colostrum quality and has characterized numerous bioactive proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that may play a critical role in gastrointestinal function and development. It has also been shown that colostrum plays a fundamental role in promoting colonization with commensal bacteria; however, delaying colostrum feeding or abruptly transitioning calves from colostrum to milk decreased the colonization of beneficial bacteria and impaired gastrointestinal development. With respect to the maternal nutrient supply via milk, it is important to note that calves have been traditionally fed less than half of voluntary intake or fed milk replacer formulations that can largely differ in composition from that of maternal milk. Recent research indicated that common milk replacer formulations may impair gastrointestinal function, highlighting the need to question existing nutritional regimens. In addition, feeding prophylactic antibiotics in milk, as well as waste milk containing antibiotic residues, are common practices in the dairy industry, despite recent studies reporting that these practices can increase calf susceptibility to infections by disrupting gut microbiome and gut function. Although our knowledge how maternal factors impact the gastrointestinal tract of calves is limited, it is clear there are great opportunities to further develop prenatal and postnatal nutritional programs to improve dairy calf gastrointestinal health.

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EFFECTS OF CORRECTING FOR FEEDING LEVELS ON ESTIMATES OF GENETIC PARAMETERS OF MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas76-064 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 523-529 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A. K. W. TONG ◽

B. W. KENNEDY ◽

J. E. MOXLEY

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Protein Yield ◽

Net Energy ◽

Yield Traits ◽

Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Net Energy Intake ◽

Quadratic Effects

A total of 13,561 Holstein 305-day lactation records were studied to examine the effects of correcting records for linear and quadratic effects of 305-day net energy intake from silage, hay, pasture and meal feeding on estimates of genetic parameters of milk, fat and protein yield and fat and protein percent. Correcting records for net energy intake reduced variances of yield traits, but had little effect on composition trait variances. When expressed as a percentage of the total variance, the relative importance of sire and sire–herd components were unchanged using corrected records, and heritabilities, except for that of protein yield, were unaltered. Cow components of yield traits were reduced relative to other components after records were corrected for feeding levels. Consequently, repeatabilities were reduced as well, suggesting that a large portion of the permanent environmental effects on yield traits may be of nutritional origin. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between yield traits were also reduced appreciably after records were corrected for feed intake. Genetic relationships between milk, fat and protein yield may not be as great as commonly believed.

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