Risk factors identified on arrival associated with morbidity and mortality at a grain-fed veal facility: A prospective, single-cohort study
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High levels of morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial use are common in the veal industry. For the sustainability of the industry, it is important to address these challenges and determine factors that can be used to improve animal health and welfare. The objectives of this prospective observational cohort study were to describe the health status of calves on arrival at a grain-fed veal facility and determine characteristics that were associated with morbidity and mortality. On arrival, the calves were assessed for health abnormalities, weighed, measured for hip height and length from withers to lumbosacral junction, and had blood collected to determine serum total protein level. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using weight on arrival divided by the sum of the calf's length from withers to lumbosacral junction and hip height. The calves were observed for 77 d after arrival, during which the producer was responsible for recording all antibiotic treatments and mortality. We built Cox proportional hazard models for morbidity and mortality variables. We created 2 morbidity models: 1 for calves that were treated <21 d after arrival at the facility, and 1 for calves that were treated during the 11 wk at the facility. From January to December 2017, 998 calves were evaluated on arrival at the veal rearing facility. A large proportion (68%) were treated with antibiotics in the first 21 d after arrival. The only explanatory variable in the final <21 d morbidity model was BMI: calves with a higher BMI had a lower hazard of being treated for disease in the first 21 d after arrival. A total of 872 calves (87%) were treated at least once over the 11-wk housing period. A calf arriving with a BMI >371.46 g/cm or a serum total protein between 5.8 and 6.2 g/dL had a lower level of morbidity during the observation period. Over the 11-wk housing period, 74 calves (7.5%) died. Calves that arrived at the facility with a fecal score of 2 or a rectal temperature between 38.9 and 39.1°C had a higher hazard of dying; calves that had a BMI of >371 g/cm were less likely to die than calves that had a BMI <330 g/cm. These results point to the importance of assessing calves on arrival at a veal facility as a measure of identifying those at high risk for morbidity and mortality.
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The greater changes in blood pH in calves transported for longer durations may explain their poor attitude or depression upon arrival at veal facilities.
“The greater changes in blood pH in calves transported for longer durations may explain their poor attitude or depression upon arrival at veal facilities”
From A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of transport duration and age at transport on surplus dairy calves: Part II. Impact on hematological variables. (2023) · cites this paper as Scott et al., 2019
High rates of morbidity and mortality have been reported in young calves following transport, during and after which calves from multiple source farms are mixed and exposed to novel pathogens.
“This increased vulnerability is reflected in the high rates of morbidity and mortality reported in young calves following transport, during and after which calves from multiple source farms are mixed and exposed to novel pathogens [22, 25, 26].”
From Effects of age and feeding protocols on the metabolic and physiological condition of unweaned calves during and after long-distance transport (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
Higher BW at arrival is associated with decreased mortality and infection risk, as well as higher growth rates.
“Higher BW is associated with decreased mortality [48, 49] and infection risk [25, 50, 51], as well as higher growth rates [52, 53].”
From Effects of age and feeding protocols on the metabolic and physiological condition of unweaned calves during and after long-distance transport (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
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- Authors
- Scott, K., Kelton, D. F., Duffield, T. F., & Renaud, D. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Guelph (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Renaud, D.L.
- Venue
- Journal of Dairy Science
- Publisher
- American Dairy Science Association
- Published
- 2019-10
- Volume
- 102
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 9224-9235
- ISSN
- 0022-0302 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2964852131
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 7.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Dairy Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Microbial infections and disease research
- Keywords
- veal calves, body mass index, serum total protein, calf mortality, calf morbidity, antibiotic therapy, risk factors, fecal score, rectal temperature, animal welfare, antimicrobial use reduction, herd health management
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animal Feed, Animals, Newborn, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Body Weight, Cattle, Cattle Diseases, Feces, Health Status, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Cohort Studies, Body Mass Index
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