Zachary A England, Hannah L Maggard, Andrew D Fisher, Natalie W Roadknight, Jessica A Pempek
{"title":"Condition of bob veal calves on arrival at an abattoir in Ohio.","authors":"Zachary A England, Hannah L Maggard, Andrew D Fisher, Natalie W Roadknight, Jessica A Pempek","doi":"10.1017/awf.2022.8","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous research has shown surplus dairy calves arrive at 'formula-fed' veal operations in North America in sub-optimal condition; however, little is known about the condition of 'bob' veal calves on arrival at abattoirs. The objectives of this study were to assess the condition of bob veal calves on arrival at an abattoir in Ohio and determine risk factors for poor health outcomes. On arrival, 35 calves in each of 12 cohorts (n = 420 calves) were assessed using a standardised health examination. A blood sample was also collected to assess failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) and hypoglycaemia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of poor health outcomes. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to identify if calf breed, sex, or source were risk factors for poor health outcomes. The most common physical health concern observed on arrival at the abattoir was dehydration (mean: 68.6%), followed by thin body condition (39.8%), and navel inflammation (25.7%). Approximately one-quarter (23.4%) of calves had FTPI and 73.4% were hypoglycaemic. Male calves were more likely than females to arrive hypoglycaemic. Hydration status was associated with breed; Jersey and crossbreed calves were less likely to be dehydrated than Holstein-Friesian calves. Buying station tended to be associated with FTPI. These results underline the need for more studies investigating morbidity, mortality, and their underlying risk factors to promote calf welfare prior to slaughter in each stage of the production chain: on the dairy farm of birth, during marketing, and in transit.</p>","PeriodicalId":7894,"journal":{"name":"Animal Welfare","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2023-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10936319/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Animal Welfare","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2022.8","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"VETERINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Previous research has shown surplus dairy calves arrive at 'formula-fed' veal operations in North America in sub-optimal condition; however, little is known about the condition of 'bob' veal calves on arrival at abattoirs. The objectives of this study were to assess the condition of bob veal calves on arrival at an abattoir in Ohio and determine risk factors for poor health outcomes. On arrival, 35 calves in each of 12 cohorts (n = 420 calves) were assessed using a standardised health examination. A blood sample was also collected to assess failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) and hypoglycaemia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of poor health outcomes. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to identify if calf breed, sex, or source were risk factors for poor health outcomes. The most common physical health concern observed on arrival at the abattoir was dehydration (mean: 68.6%), followed by thin body condition (39.8%), and navel inflammation (25.7%). Approximately one-quarter (23.4%) of calves had FTPI and 73.4% were hypoglycaemic. Male calves were more likely than females to arrive hypoglycaemic. Hydration status was associated with breed; Jersey and crossbreed calves were less likely to be dehydrated than Holstein-Friesian calves. Buying station tended to be associated with FTPI. These results underline the need for more studies investigating morbidity, mortality, and their underlying risk factors to promote calf welfare prior to slaughter in each stage of the production chain: on the dairy farm of birth, during marketing, and in transit.
期刊介绍:
Animal Welfare is an international scientific and technical journal. It publishes the results of peer-reviewed scientific research, technical studies and reviews relating to the welfare of kept animals (eg on farms, in laboratories, zoos and as companions) and of those in the wild whose welfare is compromised by human activities. Papers on related ethical, social, and legal issues and interdisciplinary papers will also be considered for publication. Studies that are derivative or which replicate existing publications will only be considered if they are adequately justified.
Papers will only be considered if they bring new knowledge (for research papers), new perspectives (for reviews) or develop new techniques. Papers must have the potential to improve animal welfare, and the way in which they achieve this, or are likely to do so, must be clearly specified in the section on Animal welfare implications.