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14 pages, 2677 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Predicting Body Weight in Pre-Weaned Holstein–Friesian Calves Using Morphometric Measurements

by Flávio G. Silva, Emanuel Carreira, Joana M. Ramalho, Tomás Correia, Marília Meira, Cristina Conceição, Severiano R. Silva, Alfredo M. F. Pereira and Joaquim L. Cerqueira

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142129 - 21 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1311

Abstract

Regularly weighing calves helps to assess the efficiency of the rearing period and contributes to animal welfare by allowing more precise feeding and medication application in dairy farming, but many farmers do not weigh their calves regularly. Improving the feasibility of this process [...] Read more.

Regularly weighing calves helps to assess the efficiency of the rearing period and contributes to animal welfare by allowing more precise feeding and medication application in dairy farming, but many farmers do not weigh their calves regularly. Improving the feasibility of this process is, therefore, important. The use of morphometric measurements has been used to estimate the weight of cattle. However, many studies have focused on adult animals or used a wide age range. As calves experience allometric tissue growth, specific models for certain ranges might be more accurate. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a weight estimation model specific for pre-weaned Holstein–Friesian calves using morphometric measurements and to compare the model with another equation previously validated for the same breed with young and adult animals. From four dairy farms, 237 measurements of body weight, heart girth, abdominal girth, hip height, withers height, and body length were taken from Holstein–Friesian male and female calves. Linear and non-linear regression analysis was used to test the relationship between body weight and morphometric measurements, with age, sex, and farm as possible explanatory variables. Selected models were compared with goodness of fit and agreement tests. The final model was able to accurately predict body weight (R² = 0.96) with a mean difference of −1.4 ± 3.24 kg. Differences in the relationship between body weight and morphometric traits were observed between farms, but not between males and females. The genetics of the animal population at farm level may be responsible for this variability and further studies are needed to understand this variability and improve weight prediction models. The developed model was able to perform better in the agreement tests than the previously validated model for Holstein–Friesian animals, suggesting that different equations should be used depending on the growth phase the animal is in. In addition, a web application has been developed to facilitate the use of the developed model by farmers. This avoids the use of calibrated weight bands, which are usually calibrated for a broader age range or for beef cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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15 pages, 1657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calf Management: Individual or Paired Housing Affects Dairy Calf Health and Welfare

by David S. McFarland, Lorna M. McFarland, Darren J. Shaw and Alastair I. Macrae

Animals 2024, 14(11), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111540 - 23 May 2024

Viewed by 1478

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that preweaned dairy calves reared in pairs compared with individually have improved performance and indicators of animal welfare. One hundred and thirty Holstein female calves completed the trial, with eighty-five being allocated to paired housing and forty-five calves being [...] Read more.

Previous research has indicated that preweaned dairy calves reared in pairs compared with individually have improved performance and indicators of animal welfare. One hundred and thirty Holstein female calves completed the trial, with eighty-five being allocated to paired housing and forty-five calves being allocated to individual housing. Daily live weight gain (DLWG), treatments and mortality were recorded throughout the preweaning period. Salivary cortisol, latency to feed and latency to approach a novel object were assessed at batching. There were no significant differences in DLWG, mortality and disease treatments between the average of the pair and the individually housed calves, although the pair-reared calves were quicker to approach the milk feed after batching and interacted more quickly with a novel object. The heaviest born calves within the pair had the highest DLWG from birth to weaning, with a higher percentage of calves approaching the novel object, compared with the lightest born calf within the pair. This study shows that calves within a pair may have significantly different performance and welfare during the preweaning period, with the heavier calf outperforming and displaying less fear and more exploratory behaviour than the lighter calf within a pair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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18 pages, 2555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Lactobacilli-Based Direct-Fed Microbial Product on Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Morphological Changes

by John I. Alawneh, Hena Ramay, Timothy Olchowy, Rachel Allavena, Martin Soust and Rafat Al Jassim

Animals 2024, 14(5), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050693 - 23 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1499

Abstract

The calf’s gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome undergoes rapid shifts during early post-natal life, which can directly affect calf performance. The objectives of this study were to characterise and compare differences in the establishment and succession of GIT microbiota, GIT morphological changes, and the [...] Read more.

The calf’s gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome undergoes rapid shifts during early post-natal life, which can directly affect calf performance. The objectives of this study were to characterise and compare differences in the establishment and succession of GIT microbiota, GIT morphological changes, and the growth of dairy calves from birth until weaned. Forty-four newborn Holstein-Friesian calves were randomly selected and assigned to Treatment (TRT) and Control (CON) groups. The TRT group calves received a once-daily dose of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) liquid product containing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, and Lacticaseibacillus casei, all formerly known as Lactobacillus. Fresh faecal samples were manually taken from the rectum of all calves, and gross necropsy was performed on the forestomachs and gastrointestinal tracts. Bacterial DNA was extracted from frozen faecal samples for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Calves in the TRT group had greater live weights (p = 0.02) at weaning compared with calves in the CON group (mean = 69.18 kg, SD = 13.37 kg). The average daily live weight gain (ADG) and total feed intake were similar between the two groups. Calves in the TRT group had greater duodenum, abomasum, and reticulum weights (p = 0.05). Rumen and intestinal development (p < 0.05) and faecal microbial diversity (p < 0.05) were more pronounced in the TRT group. The relative abundances of eight genera differed (p < 0.001) between the groups. Supplementing calves with the LAB-based DFM increased live weight at weaning and had a more pronounced effect on the development of rumen and the gastrointestinal tract and on microbiota diversity and evenness. Future work is needed to better understand the potential association of LAB-DFM products on gut mucosa-associated microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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12 pages, 2314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Maternal Colostrum and Colostrum Replacer Effects on Immunity, Growth, and Health of Japanese Black Calves

by Marimu Urakawa, Mahmoud Baakhtari, Amany Ramah, Shoichiro Imatake, Parnian Ahmadi, Yuichiro Deguchi, Mizuho Uematsu, Yoshiki Nakama, Kazunari Imabeppu, Yusuke Nomura and Masahiro Yasuda

Animals 2024, 14(2), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020346 - 22 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1779

Abstract

Maternal colostrum (MC) is an important source of nutrients and immune factors for newborn calves. However, when colostrum is unavailable or of poor quality, a colostrum replacer (CR) may be a suitable alternative to MC. As stock-raising farmers must make informed decisions about [...] Read more.

Maternal colostrum (MC) is an important source of nutrients and immune factors for newborn calves. However, when colostrum is unavailable or of poor quality, a colostrum replacer (CR) may be a suitable alternative to MC. As stock-raising farmers must make informed decisions about colostrum feeding management, this study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding MC versus CR on the promotion of immunological status, growth, and health in pre-weaned Japanese black (JB) calves. Sixteen newborn JB calves were fed MC after birth, and 16 JB calves were fed CR. For the MC group, the numbers of γδ T cells, CD4⁺ cells, CD8⁺ cells, CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells, B cells, and MHC class II⁺ cells were significantly higher compared with the CR group. Furthermore, the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β-, IL-2-, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-encoding mRNAs were significantly higher in the MC group compared with the CR group. A lower incidence of disease in 1-month-old calves and higher carcass weight in the MC group were observed compared with the CR group. These results suggest that CR activates the immune system delayed in calves compared with MC. MC increases populations of various immunocompetent cells, which can reduce infection rates and improve body weight gain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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15 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Supplementing Milk Replacer with Sodium Butyrate on Dairy Calves

by Anna Luiza Belli, Sandra G. Coelho, Joana P. Campolina, Luiz F. M. Neves, Hilton C. Diniz Neto, Camila S. Silva, Fernanda S. Machado, Luiz Gustavo R. Pereira, Thierry R. Tomich, Wanessa A. Carvalho, Suely de Fátima Costa and Mariana M. Campos

Animals 2024, 14(2), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020277 - 16 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1605

Abstract

Diarrhea and respiratory diseases pose significant challenges in the rearing of pre-weaned calves, motivating the investigation of tools to improve gastrointestinal tract development, health, and overall performance in young calves. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of [...] Read more.

Diarrhea and respiratory diseases pose significant challenges in the rearing of pre-weaned calves, motivating the investigation of tools to improve gastrointestinal tract development, health, and overall performance in young calves. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an additive incorporated into milk replacer to promote the development and health of the animals. Forty-six dairy calves were randomly assigned into two treatments: control (CON, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males), and sodium butyrate (SB, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males). The calves in the SB treatment group were supplemented with 4 g/d of unprotected sodium butyrate (Adimix, Adisseo, China), added to the milk replacer from 4 to 60 days of age. Water and starter were fed ad libitum. The study evaluated several parameters, including feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids, blood metabolites (glucose, insulin-like growth factor type 1, urea, β–hydroxybutyrate), hemogram, health scores, performance, and feed efficiency. Bull calves were euthanized at 60 days of age for organ comparison, while heifer calves were assessed for carryover effects up to 90 days of age. Data were analyzed independently using linear mixed models using the nlme package in R, and the Artools package for non-parametric categorical outcomes. Although the feed intake and performance variables exhibited differences within weeks, no divergence was observed between treatment groups. Notably, a positive treatment-by-week interaction was identified for starter feed intake (p = 0.02) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.04) during pre-weaning for CON animals. Ruminal parameters, blood metabolites, and hemogram values such as glucose, urea, insulin-like growth factor type 1, mean corpuscular value, lymphocytes, and neutrophils displayed differences within weeks during the pre-weaning stage, but similar results within groups. No differences between supplemented and non-supplemented calves were found across nutrient digestibility, organ development, and histology. Regarding health scores, differences were noted within weeks for fecal and respiratory scores during the pre-weaning stage, and only the respiratory score during the post-weaning stage. Consequently, butyrate supplementation did not elicit improvements or negative effects in the body development or health status of dairy calves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

19 pages, 1454 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Dietary Fiber Level and Forage Particle Size on Growth, Nutrient Digestion, Ruminal Fermentation, and Behavior of Weaned Holstein Calves under Heat Stress

by Mohammad-Hossein Izadbakhsh, Farzad Hashemzadeh, Masoud Alikhani, Gholam-Reza Ghorbani, Mohammad Khorvash, Mostafa Heidari, Morteza Hosseini Ghaffari and Farhad Ahmadi

Animals 2024, 14(2), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020275 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of feeding diets with different fiber content and forage particle size on the performance, health, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and behavioral and sorting activity of Holstein dairy calves kept under elevated environmental temperature. Sixty weaned [...] Read more.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of feeding diets with different fiber content and forage particle size on the performance, health, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and behavioral and sorting activity of Holstein dairy calves kept under elevated environmental temperature. Sixty weaned Holstein female calves (age = 96.7 ± 7.62 days old; body weight = 82.4 ± 10.4 kg) were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments arranged in a 2-by-2 factorial design in a 70-day experiment. Dietary forage content (moderate, 22.5%; or high, 40.0% on DM basis) and alfalfa hay particle size (short, 4.39 mm; or long, 7.22 mm as geometric mean) were the experimental factors, resulting in the following combinations: (1) high-fiber (HF) diets with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60 and long particle-sized alfalfa hay (LPS; HF-LPS); (2) HF diets with short particle-sized alfalfa hay (SPS; HF-SPS); (3) moderate-fiber (MF) diets with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 22.5:77.5 with LPS (MF-LPS); and (4) MF diets with SPS (MF-SPS). The temperature–humidity index averaged 73.0 ± 1.86, indicating that weaned calves experienced a moderate extent of heat stress. Fiber level and AH particle size interacted and affected dry matter intake, with the greatest intake (4.83 kg/d) observed in MF-SPS-fed calves. Final body weight was greater in calves receiving MF vs. HF diets (164 vs. 152 kg; p < 0.01). Respiration rate decreased when SPS vs. LPS AH was included in HF but not MF diet. Lower rectal temperature was recorded in calves fed MF vs. HF diet. Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was greater in calves fed MF than HF diets, resulting in lower ruminal pH (6.12 vs. 6.30; p = 0.03). Fiber digestibility was greater in calves fed SPS compared with those fed LPS alfalfa hay. Feeding HF compared with MF diet increased acetate but lowered propionate molar proportions. The inclusion of SPS vs. LPS alfalfa hay decreased lying time in HF diet (920 vs. 861 min; p < 0.01). Calves fed MF vs. HF diets spent less time eating but more time lying, which is likely indicative of better animal comfort. Dietary fiber level and forage particle size interacted and affected sorting against 19 mm particles, the extent of which was greater in HF-SPS diet. Overall, dietary fiber level had a stronger effect than forage particle size on the performance of weaned calves exposed to a moderate degree of heat stress as feeding MF vs. HF diet resulted in greater feed intake, final body weight, structural growth measures, nutrient digestion, as well as longer lying behavior. The inclusion of SPS alfalfa hay in MF diets increased feed consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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14 pages, 968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparable Evaluation of Nutritional Benefits of Lactobacillus plantarum and Bacillus toyonensis Probiotic Supplementation on Growth, Feed Utilization, Health, and Fecal Microbiota in Pre-Weaning Male Calves

by Mohamed S. Ayyat, Hamdy A. El-Nagar, Wael M. Wafa, Khaled M. Abd El-Latif, Samir Mahgoub and Adham A. Al-Sagheer

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213422 - 4 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of probiotic supplementation using Lactobacillus plantarum DSA 20174 and/or Bacillus toyonensis ATCC 55050 on growth performance, blood parameters, hematological measures, and fecal microbiota in pre-weaning Holstein calves. Thirty-two four-day-old male calves with a similar genetic [...] Read more.

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of probiotic supplementation using Lactobacillus plantarum DSA 20174 and/or Bacillus toyonensis ATCC 55050 on growth performance, blood parameters, hematological measures, and fecal microbiota in pre-weaning Holstein calves. Thirty-two four-day-old male calves with a similar genetic background, weighing an average of 38.27 ± 0.12 kg, were randomly assigned to four groups. The groups consisted of a control group (CON) without supplementation, a group receiving B. toyonensis (BT) at 3 × 10⁹ cfu/calf/day, a group receiving L. plantarum (LP) at 1 × 10¹⁰ cfu/calf/day, and a group receiving a combination of LP and BT (LP + BT) at half the dosage for each. The study found that calves supplemented with LP and LP + BT experienced significant improvements in average daily gain and final body weight compared to the control group. The LP + BT group showed the most positive effects on TDMI, starter intake, and CP intake. RBC counts tended to be higher in the probiotic groups, with the LP + BT group having the highest values. The LP + BT group also had higher total protein, albumin, globulin, and hematocrit concentrations. All probiotic groups showed higher serum IgG concentrations. Probiotic supplementation led to increased total bacterial count and decreased levels of E. coli, salmonella, and clostridium. The LP + BT group had a significant decrease in coliform count, while both LP and LP + BT groups had increased Lactobacillus populations. In conclusion, LP + BT probiotic supplement showed the most beneficial effects on growth, feed efficiency, blood constituents, and modulation of fecal microbiota composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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17 pages, 1848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth Performance and Fecal Microbiota of Dairy Calves Supplemented with Autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria as Probiotics in Mexican Western Family Dairy Farming

by José Martín Ruvalcaba-Gómez, Fernando Villaseñor-González, Mario Alfredo Espinosa-Martínez, Lorena Jacqueline Gómez-Godínez, Edith Rojas-Anaya, Zuamí Villagrán, Luis Miguel Anaya-Esparza, Germán Buendía-Rodríguez and Ramón Ignacio Arteaga-Garibay

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182841 - 7 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1655

Abstract

Probiotic supplementation in dairy cattle has achieved several beneficial effects (improved growth rate, immune response, and adequate ruminal microbiota). This study assessed the effects on the growth parameters and gut microbiota of newborn dairy calves supplemented with two Lactobacillus-based probiotics, individually (6BZ [...] Read more.

Probiotic supplementation in dairy cattle has achieved several beneficial effects (improved growth rate, immune response, and adequate ruminal microbiota). This study assessed the effects on the growth parameters and gut microbiota of newborn dairy calves supplemented with two Lactobacillus-based probiotics, individually (6BZ or 6BY) or their combination (6BZ + 6BY), administrated with the same concentration (1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg weight) at three times, between days 5 and 19 after birth. The control group consisted of probiotic-unsupplemented calves. Growth parameters were recorded weekly until eight weeks and at the calves’ ages of three, four, and five months. Fecal microbiota was described by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics. Although no significant effects were observed regarding daily weight and height gain among probiotic-supplemented and non-supplemented calves, correlation analysis showed that growth rate was maintained until month 5 through probiotic supplementation, mainly when the two-strain probiotics were supplied. Modulation effects on microbiota were observed in probiotic-supplemented calves, improving the Bacteroidota: Firmicutes and the Proteobacteria ratios. Functional prediction by PICRUSt also showed an increment in several pathways when the two-strain probiotic was supplemented. Therefore, using the three-administration scheme, the two-strain probiotic improved the growth rate and gut microbiota profile in newborn dairy calves. However, positive effects could be reached by applying more administrations of the probiotic during the first 20 days of a calf’s life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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20 pages, 1729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Herd, Calf, and Colostrum Management Practices on Austrian Dairy Farms Using a Scoring System

by Nicole Hechenberger, Katharina Lichtmannsperger, Daniela Klein-Jöbstl, Alexander Tichy and Thomas Wittek

Animals 2023, 13(17), 2758; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172758 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1203

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to describe colostrum management on Austrian dairy farms and to explore differences between regions (alpine/flatlands), organic and conventional producing farms, and full-time or part-time operated farms. An online survey (24 questions) on general farm characteristics and herd [...] Read more.

The objectives of the study were to describe colostrum management on Austrian dairy farms and to explore differences between regions (alpine/flatlands), organic and conventional producing farms, and full-time or part-time operated farms. An online survey (24 questions) on general farm characteristics and herd and calf management was sent to 16,246 farmers. In total, 2328 farmers (response rate 14.3%) answered the questionnaire. To allow an objective comparison, a scoring system was implemented. Farm size is, on average, smaller in the alpine regions than in the foothills/flatlands regions of Austria. Small farms were more often organic-producing farms (81.6%) and operated part-time (93.8%). In foothills/flatland regions, 70.0% of farms have a separate calving area, and in the alpine regions, it is solely 42.8%. Colostrum testing is still mostly done by visual appraisal (63.7%); only a few farmers use a colostrometer (8.8%), brix-refractometer (18.3%), or ColostroCheck^® (9.2%, a cone-shaped device to rate the flow velocity of colostrum). The results of the present study using the scoring system showed differences in herd and calf management practices in all sectors. In the future, the findings and especially the scoring system can support Austrian dairy farmers or veterinarians to better assess areas of improvement on farms in order to prevent calves from suffering from Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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Review

Jump to: Research

50 pages, 784 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review of Bovine Colostrum Components and Selected Aspects Regarding Their Impact on Neonatal Calf Physiology

by Flávio G. Silva, Severiano R. Silva, Alfredo M. F. Pereira, Joaquim Lima Cerqueira and Cristina Conceição

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071130 - 8 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3967

Abstract

Colostrum contains macro- and micronutrients necessary to meet the nutritional and energy requirements of the neonatal calf, bioactive components that intervene in several physiological aspects, and cells and microorganisms that modulate the calf’s immune system and gut microbiome. Colostrum is sometimes mistaken as [...] Read more.

Colostrum contains macro- and micronutrients necessary to meet the nutritional and energy requirements of the neonatal calf, bioactive components that intervene in several physiological aspects, and cells and microorganisms that modulate the calf’s immune system and gut microbiome. Colostrum is sometimes mistaken as transition milk, which, although more nutritive than whole milk, has a distinct biochemical composition. Furthermore, most research about colostrum quality and colostrum management focuses on the transfer of maternal IgG to the newborn calf. The remaining components of colostrum and transition milk have not received the same attention, despite their importance to the newborn animal. In this narrative review, a large body of literature on the components of bovine colostrum was reviewed. The variability of these components was summarized, emphasizing specific components that warrant deeper exploration. In addition, the effects of each component present in colostrum and transition milk on several key physiological aspects of the newborn calf are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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