BACKGROUND Neonatal diarrhea accounts for more than 50% of total deaths in dairy calves. Few population-based studies of cattle have investigated how the microbiota is impacted during diarrhea. OBJECTIVES To characterize the fecal microbiota and predict the functional potential of the microbial communities in healthy and diarrheic calves. METHODS Fifteen diarrheic calves between the ages of...

Herd-level risk factors for dairy calf and heifer mortality in France were identified by calculating herd-level variables (including mortality risk or rate) using the National Bovine Identification Database (2005 and 2006). Eleven dairy production areas representing different livestock systems were also included. Statistical analyses were based on a probit model (mortality risk or rate=0 or >0)...

It is well documented that dairy calves are extremely susceptible to enteric diseases and mortality during the first few weeks of life. The latest reports from the USDA’s National Animal Health and Monitoring System (NAHMS, 1993; 1996; 2007) report that the national mortality rate of heifer calves from 48 hours of life to weaning is approximately 7.8 to 10.8%. Producer perceived records indicat...

As a part of ANIPLAN, Norway wanted to look at health and welfare planning for calves in organic dairy production. One reason for this was relevant ongoing activity on calves in Norway. There was also information from earlier projects on welfare assessment (Good animal welfare in organic farming, Animal welfare in Arctic farming) in dairy herds, which showed that calf welfare is a challenge in ...

this study was carried out to assess the effects of alfalfa hay level and replacing corn grain by other grains in starter on daily feed intake, average daily gain (adg) and feed efficiency (fe) of pre and post-weaning dairy calves during the pre and post-weaning periods. for this purpose, a database meta-analysis used in the present study. statistical analyses were performed using proc mixed in...

The objectives of this study were to determine incidence of stillbirths and heifer-calf morbidity and mortality, and their association with dystocia on 3 Colorado dairies. A total of 7,380 calvings produced 7,788 calves on 3 Colorado dairy operations between October 1, 2001, and November 5, 2002. Dystocia score and calf status (alive vs. dead) were recorded at calving. Calves that were born ali...

A 1:1 matched case-control study of calves under 1 month of age was carried out by weekly visits to 7 dairy farms in Mashhad from May 2008 to October 2008. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 112 calves with clinical signs of diarrhea and from 112 matched animals without clinical signs of diarrhea as assessed by a scoring system. The samples were investigated for the presence of Rotavi...

Early social housing is known to benefit cognitive development in laboratory animals. Pre-weaned dairy calves are typically separated from their dam immediately after birth and housed alone, but no work to date has addressed the effect of individual housing on cognitive performance of these animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of individual versus social housing on two me...

New Zealand’s beef industry produces approximately 580,000 tonnes of beef per year, about 80% of which is exported, with approximately 70% of this beef destined for the North American manufacturing market. Around 65% of beef cattle originate from the dairy industry. Beef cows produce 1.1 million calves (killed as heifers or steers) per year for the prime beef market. In addition, 0.4 to 0.6 mil...

In this study, we identified Cryptosporidium species and genotypes present in dairy cattle in the central region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Fecal specimens were collected from 200 animals (100 calves and 100 cows) in ten dairy farms. Fecal samples were examined using microscopic examination (ME), enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cryptosporidium species and genotype...