scholarly journals Dairy Calf Welfare and Factors Associated with Diarrhea and Respiratory Disease among Chilean Dairy Farms

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1115
Author(s):  
Javiera Calderón-Amor ◽  
Carmen Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Dairy Calf ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Waste Milk ◽  
Milk Feeding

This study aimed to describe management practices that may compromise the welfare of unweaned dairy calves on 29 dairy farms in Chile, and identify factors associated with diarrhea and respiratory disease (n = 700 calves). Evaluations were divided into protocol-, facility-, and animal-based measurements. Calf diarrhea and respiratory disease data were analyzed using logistic regression models. Management practices identified as risk factors for poor calf welfare were: relying on the mother to provide colostrum (48.0% of the farms); using restrictive milk feeding (65.5%), and unpasteurized waste milk (51.7%); giving water after 30 days of age (17.2%); disbudding without analgesia (89.6%) or anesthesia (79.3%); lacking euthanasia protocols (61.5%). Factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased odds of diarrhea were: cleaning the calves’ bed once a week and 2–3 times a week compared with every day, using milk replacer and untreated waste milk compared with treated waste milk (pasteurized or acidified), animals scored dirty in the calf cleanliness score compared with clean animals, and greater herd size. Factors significantly associated with increased odds of respiratory disease were: less pen space allowance (<1.8 m2), farms that did not check colostrum quality, and animals that scored dirty and moderately dirty compared with clean calves. These results suggest the need to improve specific management practices associated with reduced welfare and health in dairy calves in Chile.

scholarly journals Assessment of Influential Factors for Scours Associated with Cryptosporidium sp., Rotavirus and Coronavirus in Calves from Argentinean Dairy Farms

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2652
Author(s):  
Emiliano Bertoni ◽  
Adrián A. Barragán ◽  
Marina Bok ◽  
Celina Vega ◽  
Marcela Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Logistic Regression Models

Scours is the most common disease in dairy calves, and it is a multifactorial syndrome complex. Cryptosporidium sp. (C. sp.), rotavirus group A (RVA), and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are the three main pathogens associated with scours. The objective of this study was to identify potential factors associated with scours, C. sp., RVA, and BCoV infections in preweaned dairy calves from Lerma Valley in Salta Province, Argentina. A total of 488 preweaned calves from 19 dairy farms located in the Lerma Valley were enrolled in this observational study. One fecal sample was collected from each calf between one week and two months of age for assessment of C. sp., RVA, and BCoV infection status. Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and RVA and BCoV antigens in fecal samples were assessed using microscopic observation and indirect enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (iELISA), respectively. A voluntary questionnaire was developed and used to collect data regarding management practices from the participants’ farms. The data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. Scours incidence was 35.4%, and a greater proportion of calves younger than 20 days were affected. Of the fecal samples, 18% and 9.5% tested were positives for C. sp. and RVA, respectively, while BCoV was detected only in two calves. Furthermore, 84.2% and 63.1% of the farms tested positive for Cryptosporidium sp. and RVA, respectively. In addition, the following variables were associated with higher odds of having scours: (1) herd size (>300 milking cows; OR = 1.7), (2) calf age (<20 days of age; OR = 2.2), (3) RVA and C. sp. test (positive test; RVA OR = 2.6; C. sp. OR = 3), calf feeding practices (feeding milk replacer; OR = 1.81), and newborn calf management practices (calf moved from maternity pen <6 h after calving; OR = 1.7). Concerning RVA infection, calves less than 20 days of age (OR = 2.6) had a higher chance of testing positive for RVA, while calves that remained in the calving pen for less than 6 h after calving had a lower chance (OR = 0.3). On the other hand, for C. sp. infection, large farm size (>300 milking cows; OR = 1.2) and young calf age (<20 days of age; OR = 4.4) indicated a higher chance of testing positive for C. sp., while calves belonging to farms that fed frozen colostrum (OR = 0.2) had a lower chance of becoming infected with C. sp. The result of this study indicated that scours is a prevalent disease in farms of the Lerma Valley, Salta, Argentina, and that RVA and C. sp. infections, along with specific farm management practices, might be important contributing factors that could increase the chance of NCS in dairy farms.

scholarly journals Regional management practices and prevalence of bovine respiratory disease in California's preweaned dairy calves

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (8) ◽  
pp. 7583-7596 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.M. Karle ◽  
G.U. Maier ◽  
W.J. Love ◽  
S.A. Dubrovsky ◽  
D.R. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Bovine Respiratory Disease ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Regional Management

1233 A survey of management practices and producers' perceptions regarding manual and automated milk feeding systems for dairy calves

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. 593-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Medrano-Galarza ◽  
J. Rushen ◽  
A. M. de Passillé ◽  
A. Jones-Bitton ◽  
T. J. DeVries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Milk Feeding ◽  
Feeding Systems

scholarly journals Associations between management practices and within-pen prevalence of calf diarrhea and respiratory disease on dairy farms using automated milk feeders

2018 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 2293-2308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalina Medrano-Galarza ◽  
Stephen J. LeBlanc ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton ◽  
Trevor J. DeVries ◽  
Jeffrey Rushen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Calf Diarrhea

A survey of antimicrobial usage on dairy farms and waste milk feeding practices in England and Wales

2012 ◽  
Vol 171 (12) ◽  
pp. 296-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Brunton ◽  
D. Duncan ◽  
N. G. Coldham ◽  
L. C. Snow ◽  
J. R. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Antimicrobial Usage ◽  
Waste Milk ◽  
Milk Feeding

scholarly journals Questionnaire identifying management practices surrounding calving on spring-calving dairy farms and their associations with herd size and herd expansion

animal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 868-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cummins ◽  
D.P. Berry ◽  
R. Sayers ◽  
I. Lorenz ◽  
E. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with cows' lying time, stall and cows' own cleanliness in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1085-1092
Author(s):  
E. K. Kathambi ◽  
J. A. VanLeeuwen ◽  
G. K. Gitau ◽  
C. Kamunde
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Smallholder Dairy

Background and Aim: The welfare of animals kept in livestock production systems has raised concerns around the world. Adult dairy cattle require adequate rest and spend approximately 12 h/day lying down. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the stall factors and management practices affecting cows' lying time, stall cleanliness, and cows' cleanliness (udder and upper leg), in smallholder dairy cows in Meru County of Kenya. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 milking cows from 73 farms were assessed for daily lying time and cleanliness. Data loggers were used to record the lying time of cows for 3 days. Stall, udder, and upper leg cleanliness were assessed using a 5-score system: 1 (very clean) to 5 (very dirty). Management information was acquired using a questionnaire that was administered face-to-face to the farmers in their native Kimeru language. Univariable and multivariable linear and logistic regression models were fit to determine factors associated with cows' lying time and dichotomized stall and cows' own cleanliness, respectively. Results: The mean daily lying time was 10.9±2.2 h, and the mean stall cleanliness score was 2.4±1.0. The mean average cleanliness scores of the udder and upper legs were 1.9±0.7 and 2.5±1.1, respectively. Overall, 35% of the stalls were categorized as dirty (>2.5), whereas 13% and 47% of the cows had udder and leg cleanliness scores >2.5, respectively. From the final multivariable models (p<0.05), daily lying time increased by 1.0 h for cows older than 5.25 years versus younger cows. Conversely, lying time decreased by 1.0 h with stall cleanliness scores >2.5 and by 1.6 h with poorly positioned neck rails. In an interaction term, addition of new bedding at least once a day without removing stall manure at least once a day decreased the daily lying time of the cows by 1.5 h, whereas failure to add new bedding at least once a day but removing stall manure at least once a day decreased the lying time of the cows by 1.2 h. Farm-level risk factors for stall dirtiness (>2.5) included delayed cleaning of the alley (odds ratio [OR]=6.6, p=0.032), lack of bedding (OR=4.9, p=0.008), and standing idle and/or backward in the stall (OR=10.5, p=0.002). Stalls categorized as dirty (OR=2.9, p=0.041) and lack of bedding (OR=2.7, p=0.065) were cow- and farm-level risk factors for dirtiness of the udder (>2.5), respectively, whereas the stall being dirty (OR=2.3, p=0.043) was the only risk factor (cow level) for dirtiness of the upper legs (>2.5). Conclusion: It was recommended that farmers should pay attention to the specific factors identified regarding the stall design (e.g., neck rail position) and bedding/manure management that impact the cleanliness of cows and their lying time.

scholarly journals 2018 Survey of factors associated with antimicrobial drug use and stewardship practices in adult cows on conventional California dairies: immediate post-Senate Bill 27 impact

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pius S. Ekong ◽  
Essam M. Abdelfattah ◽  
Emmanuel Okello ◽  
Deniece R. Williams ◽  
Terry W. Lehenbauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Machine Learning Classification ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Senate Bill ◽  
Silver Spring

Background Antimicrobial drugs (AMD) are critical for the treatment, control, and prevention of diseases in humans and food-animals. Good AMD stewardship practices and judicious use of AMD are beneficial to the preservation of animal and human health from antimicrobial resistance threat. This study reports on changes in AMD use and stewardship practices on California (CA) dairies, following the implementation of CA Senate Bill 27 (SB 27; codified as Food and Agricultural Code, FAC 14400–14408; here onward referred to as SB 27), by modeling the associations between management practices on CA conventional dairies and seven outcome variables relating to AMD use and stewardship practices following SB 27. Methods A survey questionnaire was mailed to 1,282 grade A licensed dairies in CA in spring of 2018. Responses from 132 conventional dairies from 16 counties were included for analyses. Multivariate logistic regression models were specified to explore the associations between survey factors and six outcome variables: producers’ familiarity with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA), Silver Spring, WA, USA medically important antimicrobial drugs (MIAD) term; change in over-the-counter (OTC) AMD use; initiation or increased use of alternatives to AMD; changes to prevent disease outbreaks; changes in AMD costs; and better animal health post SB 27. We employed machine learning classification models to determine which of the survey factors were the most important predictors of good-excellent AMD stewardship practices of CA conventional dairy producers. Results Having a valid veterinary-client-patient-relationship, involving a veterinarian in training employees on treatment protocols and decisions on AMDs used to treat sick cows, tracking milk and/or meat withdrawal intervals for treated cows, and participating in dairy quality assurance programs were positively associated with producers’ familiarity with MIADs. Use or increased use of alternatives to AMDs since 2018 was associated with decreased use of AMDs that were previously available OTC prior to SB 27. Important variables associated with good-excellent AMD stewardship knowledge by CA conventional dairy producers included having written or computerized animal health protocols, keeping a drug inventory log, awareness that use of MIADs required a prescription following implementation of SB 27, involving a veterinarian in AMD treatment duration determination, and using selective dry cow treatment. Conclusions Our study identified management factors associated with reported AMD use and antimicrobial stewardship practices on conventional dairies in CA within a year from implementation of SB 27. Producers will benefit from extension outreach efforts that incorporate the findings of this survey by further highlighting the significance of these management practices and encouraging those that are associated with judicious AMD use and stewardship practices on CA conventional dairies.

scholarly journals Incorporating Silages into Preweaned Dairy Calf Diets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia I. Kehoe ◽  
Paweł Górka ◽  
Zhijun J. Cao
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Dairy Calf ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The World ◽  
Abnormal Behaviors

Supplementing forage to preweaned calves has shown some positive effects, such as stabilization of the rumen environment, limiting abnormal behaviors, and increasing starter intake. However, dry forages can be limited and cost prohibitive in some areas of the world. Contrastingly, ensiled forages are commonly found on most dairy farms and are low cost. Therefore, the objective of this review was to focus specifically on ensiled forages and how they affect preweaned calves. There are few studies that have focused on providing ensiled forages and most of them have used corn silage. Although impacts on rumen development and nutrient digestibility have been variable, feed intake and efficiency were not affected in most reviewed studies. Growth and health parameters were also either not affected or improved. Therefore, with careful silage feeding management, the supplementation of ensiled feeds may be used to provide similar benefits of dry forages to preweaned dairy calves.

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