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Edwards KY, LeBlanc SJ, DeVries TJ, Steele MA, Costa JH, Renaud DL. Barriers to recording calf health data on dairy farms in Ontario. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:42-46. [PMID: 38223392 PMCID: PMC10785240 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Establishing accurate illness and treatment rates in dairy calves is crucial, yet calf health records are often incomplete. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate barriers for dairy farmers for recording calf illnesses and treatments on dairy farms in Ontario, Canada. An online survey was completed by a convenience sample of 88 Ontario dairy farms in 2022, with 34 questions regarding farm demographics, current practices surrounding record keeping and analysis, and factors that would improve recording compliance. Multivariable models were built to assess associations between explanatory variables and the following outcomes: likelihood of making management or treatment protocol changes based on records analysis, factors that would increase the use of electronic recording methods, and whether all calf illnesses and treatments are recorded. Pearson's chi-squared tests were also used to investigate associations between explanatory variables and whether the respondent agreed or disagreed with a proposed reason for why a calf illness or treatment would not be recorded on their farm. Producers had 3.45 times greater odds of recording all antimicrobial treatments if they used a computer software system compared with those that did not. With respect to anti-inflammatory treatments, producers had 3.11 times greater odds of recording these treatments if records were located in the calf barn than elsewhere. Nonfamily employees had 6.08 times greater odds of recording all supportive therapy treatments than farm owners. When calf health records were kept in the calf barn, respondents were less likely to report that illnesses were not recorded due to time constraints (5% vs. 36% if records were elsewhere) or because calf health records were not analyzed (10% vs. 34% if records were elsewhere). On farms that recorded calf treatments in a paper booklet, respondents were more likely to report that treatments were not recorded because calf health records were not analyzed (44% for paper records vs. 21% for other systems). The most commonly indicated factors that would increase recording of illness were recording with a mobile app (27% of respondents) and for the recording system to be easy to use (31% of respondents). Overall, these data indicate that recording may be improved by keeping calf health records in close proximity to the calves and using a recording method that allows for data analysis. An easy-to-use mobile app may also improve recording if it could be used in the calf barn, provide data analytics, and allow for time-efficient data entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Y. Edwards
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stephen J. LeBlanc
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Trevor J. DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Michael A. Steele
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Joao H.C. Costa
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - David L. Renaud
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
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2
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Mee JF. Invited review: Bovine neonatal morbidity and mortality-Causes, risk factors, incidences, sequelae and prevention. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58 Suppl 2:15-22. [PMID: 37128970 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The neonatal period may be defined as the first month of the calf's life; it may be considered part of the fourth trimester. It is the most hazardous due to the immaturity of the neonate's immune system and the environmental challenge from infections, the main causes of both bovine neonatal morbidity and mortality. The five most common morbidities causing mortality in neonatal calves are, in descending order, gastrointestinal infections, respiratory infections, abomasal disorders, umbilical infections and developmental abnormalities. This review describes the aetiology, incidence, risk factors and sequelae of these common morbidities and highlights current preventive strategies both at farm and national levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Moorepark Research Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, Ireland
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3
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Dachrodt L, Bartel A, Arndt H, Kellermann LM, Stock A, Volkmann M, Boeker AR, Birnstiel K, Do Duc P, Klawitter M, Paul P, Stoll A, Woudstra S, Knubben-Schweizer G, Müller KE, Hoedemaker M. Benchmarking calf health: Assessment tools for dairy herd health consultancy based on reference values from 730 German dairies with respect to seasonal, farm type, and herd size effects. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:990798. [PMID: 36213417 PMCID: PMC9539667 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.990798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Good calf health is crucial for a successfully operating farm business and animal welfare on dairy farms. To evaluate calf health on farms and to identify potential problem areas, benchmarking tools can be used by farmers, herd managers, veterinarians, and other advisory persons in the field. However, for calves, benchmarking tools are not yet widely established in practice. This study provides hands-on application for on-farm benchmarking of calf health. Reference values were generated from a large dataset of the “PraeRi” study, including 730 dairy farms with a total of 13,658 examined preweaned dairy calves. At herd level, omphalitis (O, median 15.9%) was the most common disorder, followed by diarrhea (D, 15.4%) and respiratory disease (RD, 2.9%). Abnormal weight bearing (AWB) was rarely detected (median, 0.0%). Calves with symptoms of more than one disorder at the same time (multimorbidity, M) were observed with a prevalence of 2.3%. The enrolled farms varied in herd size, farm operating systems, and management practices and thus represented a wide diversity in dairy farming, enabling a comparison with similar managed farms in Germany and beyond. To ensure comparability of the data in practice, the reference values were calculated for the whole data set, clustered according to farm size (1–40 dairy cows (n = 130), 41–60 dairy cows (n = 99), 61–120 dairy cows (n = 180), 121–240 dairy cows (n = 119) and farms with more than 240 dairy cows (n = 138), farm operating systems (conventional (n = 666), organic (n = 64)) and month of the year of the farm visit. There was a slight tendency for smaller farms to have a lower prevalence of disorders. A statistically significant herd-size effect was detected for RD (p = 0.008) and D (p < 0.001). For practical application of these reference values, tables, diagrams, and an Excel® (Microsoft®) based calf health calculator were developed as tools for on-farm benchmarking (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6172753). In addition, this study provides a detailed description of the colostrum, feeding and housing management of preweaned calves in German dairy farms of different herd sizes and farm type (e.g., conventional and organic).
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Dachrodt
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Bartel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heidi Arndt
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laura Maria Kellermann
- Clinic for Ruminants With Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Annegret Stock
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Volkmann
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Robert Boeker
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Phuong Do Duc
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcus Klawitter
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Paul
- Clinic for Ruminants With Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Stoll
- Clinic for Ruminants With Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Svenja Woudstra
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer
- Clinic for Ruminants With Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Kerstin Elisabeth Müller
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Hoedemaker
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Martina Hoedemaker
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Morrison JL, Winder CB, Medrano-Galarza C, Denis P, Haley D, LeBlanc SJ, Costa J, Steele M, Renaud DL. Case-control study of behavior data from automated milk feeders in healthy or diseased dairy calves. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 3:201-206. [PMID: 36338813 PMCID: PMC9623788 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2021-0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Automated milk feeders have the potential to aid producers in disease detection. Milk consumption detected disease 5 d before disease detection by the producer. Drinking speed detected disease 4 d before disease detection by the producer. Unrewarded visits to the feeder detected disease 3 d before disease detection by the producer. Rewarded visits to the feeder were not useful in detection of disease by the producer.
Group housing of preweaning dairy calves is increasing in popularity throughout the dairy industry. However, it can be more difficult to individually monitor calves to identify disease in these group systems. Automated milk feeders (AMF) not only provide producers with the opportunity to increase the milk allowance offered to preweaning calves but they can also monitor individual feeding behaviors that could identify calves at increased risk of disease. The objective of this retrospective case-control study was to determine how feeding behaviors change in preweaning calves leading up to and during a disease bout. This study was conducted between fall 2015 and fall 2016 on 2 commercial dairy farms in Ontario, Canada. Producers' treatment records for respiratory or enteric illness were used to identify cases. Control calves were selected from calves not treated for disease and matched on the days on the AMF. Both farms housed calves in dynamic groups of 9 to 11 calves with an AMF and fed milk replacer. Differences in feeding behaviors, including milk consumption, drinking speed, rewarded visits, unrewarded visits, and total visits to the AMF per day, were analyzed by mixed models accounting for repeated measures. Data were analyzed for the 7 d before, the day of, and 7 d after treatment. A total of 28 cases and 28 control calves (n = 56) were analyzed. Calves with disease consumed significantly less milk than their healthy counterparts, beginning 5 d before disease and until 3 d after disease detection. Sick calves had fewer unrewarded visits starting 3 d before until 2 d after illness detection. Sick calves drank significantly more slowly starting 4 d before illness detection until the day after illness detection compared with healthy controls. No differences were found between cases and controls for rewarded visits. Calves on a high plane of milk nutrition significantly alter feeding behaviors before illness detection. Data from AMF on feeding behaviors may help to detect disease earlier in preweaning dairy calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannelle L. Morrison
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Charlotte B. Winder
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Catalina Medrano-Galarza
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
- Programa de Especialización en Bienestar Animal y Etología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, Cll170#54a-10
| | - Pauline Denis
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Derek Haley
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Stephen J. LeBlanc
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Joao Costa
- Department of Animal and Food Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506
| | - Michael Steele
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Animal Science and Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 1Y2
| | - David L. Renaud
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
- Corresponding author:
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5
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Interactions between Cryptosporidium parvum and bovine corona virus during sequential and simultaneous infection of HCT-8 cells. Microbes Infect 2021; 24:104909. [PMID: 34813933 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2021.104909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal diarrhoea in calves is one of the major health problems in the cattle industry. Although co-infections are often associated with greater severity of disease, there is limited information on any impact on the pathogens themselves. Herein, we studied Cryptosporidium parvum and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in human HCT-8 cells, inoculated either sequentially or simultaneously, to investigate any influence from the co-infections. Quantitative results from (RT)-qPCR showed that prior inoculation with either of the two pathogens had no influence on the other. However, the results from simultaneous co-inoculation showed that entry of viral particles was higher when C. parvum sporozoites were present, although elevated virus copy numbers were no longer evident after 24 h. The attachment of BCoV to the sporozoites was probably due to specific binding, as investigations with bovine norovirus or equine herpes virus-1 showed no attachment between sporozoites and these viruses. Flow cytometry results at 72 h post inoculation revealed that C. parvum and BCoV infected 1-11% and 10-20% of the HCT-8 cells, respectively, with only 0.04% of individual cells showing double infections. The results from confocal microscopy corroborated those results, showing an increase in foci of infection from 24-72 h post inoculation for both pathogens, but with few double infected cells.
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6
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Condon T, Murphy C, Sleator RD, Judge MM, Ring S, Berry DP. Genetic and non-genetic factors associated with health and vitality traits in beef calves. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6273785. [PMID: 33974695 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Awareness and interest in calf health and wellbeing is intensifying, prompting change in the management and breeding decisions of producers and associated policy-makers. The objectives of the present study were to 1) quantify the risk factors associated with subjectively measured scores of vigor and birth size as well as diagnoses of scour and pneumonia in a large national dataset of beef calves, and 2) to estimate the contribution of genetic variance to such phenotypic measures. After edits, the data consisted of health and birth size data subjectively scored by producers on 88,207 calves born in 6,126 Irish beef herds. Vigor was recorded on a scale of 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good). Birth size was also scored on a scale of 1 (very small) to 5 (very large). Scour and pneumonia were both scored independently based on the suspected number of occurrence of each (0 = no occurrence, 1 = one occurrence, or 2 = more than one occurrence). On average, 14.7% of calves were recorded as having had at least one occurrence of scour within the first 5 mo of life, whereas 6.4% of calves were recorded as having had at least one occurrence of pneumonia within the first 5 mo of life. Relative to female calves, male calves had a worse vigor score and a suspected greater incidence of both scour and pneumonia. Relative to singletons, twins were, on average, smaller at birth, they had a worse vigor score, and they were more prone to scour. Calves born in the later periods of the calving season (i.e., late and very late) had a greater incidence of scour relative to calves in the herd born earlier in the calving season. Heritability estimates for vigor, birth size, and pneumonia were 0.12 (0.02), 0.33 (0.03), and 0.08 (0.02), respectively; no genetic variance was detected for scour. Breeding for vigorous calves that are less susceptible to pneumonia could provide producers with an additional strategy to ensure consumer concerns regarding food quality, safety, and calf wellbeing are being met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Condon
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.,Department of Biological Science, Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Craig Murphy
- Department of Biological Science, Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Roy D Sleator
- Department of Biological Science, Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Michelle M Judge
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Siobhan Ring
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Donagh P Berry
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
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7
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Weiller MAA, Schmoeller E, Vieira LV, Barbosa AA, de Oliveira Feijó J, Brauner CC, Schmitt E, Corrêa MN, Rabassa VR, Del Pino FAB. Zootechnical and health performance of Holstein x Gir crossbred calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:152. [PMID: 33543399 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02601-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Crossbreeding is used to increase production and disease resistance in adult animals, and there is no research to assess the performance of animals in the early stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical and health performance of Holstein x Gir calves (½ HG: ½ Dutch ½ Gir and ¾ HG: ¾ Dutch ¼ Gir), from birth to 80 days of age, and compare metabolic parameters between groups. In this sense, calves were monitored for zootechnical parameters; epidemiological indexes such as morbidity, mortality, recurrence of diarrhea, pneumonia, and other diseases; as well as serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total proteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, urea, and paraoxonase1 (PON1). ¾ HG calves showed higher morbidity for diarrhea and remained with diarrhea for longer compared to ½ HG calves, and this was reflected in the average daily weight gain until the 42nd day, with ½ HG calves performing better. There were no differences regarding passive immune transfer between groups, as well as no differences in morbidity and mortality from pneumonia. Regarding biochemical analyses, a difference was found only in the concentrations of PON1, which were higher in ¾ HG calves. The findings show that blood degree influences the occurrence and duration of diarrhea, negatively impacting the zootechnical performance of the animals. Crossbreeding bulls with zebu cattle can be an alternative to increase calf resistance and reduce diarrhea, thus lowering economic losses and improving animal performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Amélia Agnes Weiller
- Federal Institute of Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul [Instituto Federal de Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul], Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Evandro Schmoeller
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Laura Valadão Vieira
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
| | - Antônio Amaral Barbosa
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Josiane de Oliveira Feijó
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Cássio Cassal Brauner
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Schmitt
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Marcio Nunes Corrêa
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Viviane Rohrig Rabassa
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino
- Center for Livestock Farming Research, Teaching and Extension [Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária] (NUPEEC), Federal University of Pelotas [Universidade Federal de Pelotas], Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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8
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Johnsen JF, Holm Y IH, Mejdell CM, Ellingsen-Dalskau K, Østerås O, D Sen A, Skjerve E, N Dtvedt A. A cross-sectional study of associations between herd-level calf mortality rates, compliance with legislation on calf welfare, and milk feeding management in Norwegian dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:839-848. [PMID: 33189268 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Our aim was to investigate the associations between management factors, compliance with current legislation, and herd-level calf mortality. In a national calf welfare audit, veterinary inspectors from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority assessed compliance with current legislation on calf welfare (n = 912 herds). Nine criteria were assessed and rated as satisfactory (1) or not satisfactory (0): housing, natural behavior, single pens, colostrum feeding, feeding, water, surveillance, illness/injuries, and <5% mortality rate. In addition, a short questionnaire on milk feeding management for 3-wk-old calves was distributed to all national calf welfare audit herds, and data on mortality and disease recordings were obtained from the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System (NDHRS). A herd welfare compliance score (WCS) for each farm was constructed, summarizing the results for the individual criteria. Most herds had a high WCS (median 9.0, range 2-9). Fifty-six percent of the national calf welfare audit herds (508/912) responded to the questionnaire. We performed a cross-sectional study using a data set from 431 herds with available data on recorded disease and mortality events from the NDHRS, recordings from the national calf welfare audit, and the questionnaire. A mixed-effects negative binomial model with Norwegian Food Safety Authority district as the random effect was fitted to the data. Of the 416 herds with available data on calf mortality, 108 (25.9%) reported no mortality in 2016, and the median 6-mo mortality rate was 0.064 (interquartile range 0-0.11) dead calves per 6 calf-months at risk, based on NDHRS recordings. Calf mortality rates were higher in herds whose calves did not have free access to water (incidence rate ratio 1.29; 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.64) and higher in herds that had reported calf disease events (incidence rate ratio 1.31; 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.54). Neither the WCS nor any of the calf milk feeding management factors were associated with mortality, but more than half of producers (59.6%) fed less milk than currently recommended for 3-wk-old calves (8 L/d first 3 to 4 wk). These results indicate that a lack of access to water was associated with higher calf mortality rates. Herds with registered calf disease events had a higher incidence rate ratio of mortality. This finding may be linked to suboptimal calf management, leading to more calf diseases and mortality; or it may be that veterinary consultancy occurs too late or only for the worst cases. There is room for improvement in Norwegian dairy calf management, and water should be provided to young calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Johnsen
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Health and Food Safety, PO Box 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
| | - I H Holm Y
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - C M Mejdell
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Health and Food Safety, PO Box 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway
| | - K Ellingsen-Dalskau
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Health and Food Safety, PO Box 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway
| | - O Østerås
- TINE Dairies, Department of Research and Development, Farm Advisory Services, TINE SA, Postbox 58, 1431 Ås, Norway
| | - A D Sen
- Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Postbox 383, 2381 Brumunddal, Norway
| | - E Skjerve
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - A N Dtvedt
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway
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De Monte E, Zanon T, Vevey M, Gauly M. Evaluation of the systematic recording of diagnostic data in the Valdostana cattle. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2020.1833767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erica De Monte
- Facoltà di Scienze e Tecnologie, Libera Università di Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Thomas Zanon
- Facoltà di Scienze e Tecnologie, Libera Università di Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Mario Vevey
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Bovini Razza Valdostana – A.N.A.Bo.Ra.Va, Gressan, Italy
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Facoltà di Scienze e Tecnologie, Libera Università di Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
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10
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Mee JF. Denormalizing poor dairy youngstock management: dealing with "farm-blindness". J Anim Sci 2020; 98:S140-S149. [PMID: 32810251 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John F Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Moorepark Research Centre, Teagasc, Ireland
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11
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Schild CO, Caffarena RD, Gil A, Sánchez J, Riet-Correa F, Giannitti F. A survey of management practices that influence calf welfare and an estimation of the annual calf mortality risk in pastured dairy herds in Uruguay. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:9418-9429. [PMID: 32773303 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite the importance of dairy farming in Uruguay, little information on dairy systems in this country is available in the scientific literature, and management practices that influence calf welfare at the herd level have not been explored. The aims of this study were to (1) describe the prepartum and calf-rearing systems, as well as the management practices that may influence calf welfare in pastured dairy herds in Uruguay, (2) estimate the annual calf mortality risk from birth to weaning, and (3) identify the primary clinical disease syndromes shown by the calves before death. A survey comprising a farm visit and a questionnaire was conducted on 225 randomly selected dairies with >30 milking cows, in 3 strata (31-99, 100-299, and ≥300 milking cows) of 6 Uruguayan departments where dairies are concentrated. Retrospective information from July 2013 to June 2014 was collected. A descriptive analysis was performed and results were inferred into the national dairy cattle population. Several management practices that could contribute to poor calf welfare were identified in a large proportion of farms. The annual calf mortality risk (calves that died between birth and weaning/calves born death or alive × 100, n = 149 farms) was 15.2%. Age at weaning averaged 75 d. Farmers reported that the most common clinical syndromes were diarrhea and respiratory disease in 85.2% and 47.5% of the farms, respectively. There was no continuous veterinary advice in 61.3% of the farms, 20.0% lacked data records, 38.5% had poor drainage in the prepartum area with waterlogging after rainfall, 52.1% monitored the prepartum area ≤2 times per day during the calving season, 65.1% did not perform navel antisepsis on newborns, 62.3% separated the calves from their dams at >24 h postpartum, 95.2% did not have a colostrum management program, 72.4% did not rotate the calf-rearing areas, 59.0% did not disinfect the calf feeders, 85.7% did not have staff dedicated exclusively to calf rearing, and 39.8% did not separate sick from healthy calves. The average volume of milk or milk replacer offered per calf was 4.5 L/day. Several of the identified management practices that affect calf welfare in the prepartum and calf-rearing periods could explain the high mortality risk. An effort should be made to conduct extension work focusing on the dissemination of good management practices to improve calf welfare and reduce calf mortality in Uruguayan dairy farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos O Schild
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela Alberto Boerger, Ruta 50, km 11, 39173, Colonia, Uruguay.
| | - Rubén D Caffarena
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela Alberto Boerger, Ruta 50, km 11, 39173, Colonia, Uruguay; Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Gil
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Javier Sánchez
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Franklin Riet-Correa
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela Alberto Boerger, Ruta 50, km 11, 39173, Colonia, Uruguay
| | - Federico Giannitti
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela Alberto Boerger, Ruta 50, km 11, 39173, Colonia, Uruguay.
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Quick AE, Ollivett TL, Kirkpatrick BW, Weigel KA. Genomic analysis of bovine respiratory disease and lung consolidation in preweaned Holstein calves using clinical scoring and lung ultrasound. J Dairy Sci 2019; 103:1632-1641. [PMID: 31759603 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in dairy calves, with detrimental long-term effects that include stunted growth, increased age at first calving, and decreased milk production in first lactation. The objectives of this study were to establish a protocol for objective and efficient assessment of BRD phenotypes in preweaned dairy calves, develop a genomic reference population with well-defined clinical and subclinical phenotypes, identify chromosomal regions associated with BRD in a genome-wide association study, estimate genetic parameters of BRD, and predict genomic breeding values of dairy calves. A total of 1,107 Holstein calves from 6 dairy farms in southern Wisconsin were examined using clinical respiratory scoring and lung ultrasound at 3 and 6 wk of age. The clinical respiratory score was based on visual appraisal of eyes, nose, ears, cough, and temperature. Lung ultrasound scores were assigned based on the amount of consolidation present. Calves were genotyped with a commercially available SNP array and after quality control and imputation to higher density, 690,291 SNP markers and 1,014 individuals remained. Single-step genome-wide association study and single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction were applied to binary 3- and 6-wk phenotypes considered as overall respiratory healthy versus affected (RESP3, RESP6) or as presence or absence of lung consolidation (CON3, CON6). Lung ultrasound combined with a clinical scoring system allowed for efficient and objective assessment for the prevalence of BRD. Proportions of variance attributed to 1-Mb non-overlapping windows suggested genomic regions that may contain putative candidate genes, most notably regions on Bos taurus autosomes 1, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 27, and 28 that explained 0.70 to 1.45% of the genetic variance. Heritability estimates were higher at 3 wk (0.214 and 0.241 for CON3 and RESP3, respectively) than 6 wk (0.084 and 0.111 for CON6 and RESP6, respectively), and mean reliabilities of genomic estimated breeding vales for calves with genotypes and phenotypes ranged from 0.12 for CON6 to 0.30 for RESP3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Quick
- Department of Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
| | - Theresa L Ollivett
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706
| | - Brian W Kirkpatrick
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706
| | - Kent A Weigel
- Department of Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706
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Earley B, Arguello A, O’Riordan E, Crosson P, Cappelleri A, McGee M. Antimicrobial drug usage from birth to 180 days of age in Irish dairy calves and in suckler beef calves. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2019.1665525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - A. Arguello
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - E. O’Riordan
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - P. Crosson
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - A. Cappelleri
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - M. McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
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14
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Gonzalez-Peña D, Vukasinovic N, Brooker J, Przybyla C, DeNise S. Genomic evaluation for calf wellness traits in Holstein cattle. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:2319-2329. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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15
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Todd CG, McGee M, Tiernan K, Crosson P, O'Riordan E, McClure J, Lorenz I, Earley B. An observational study on passive immunity in Irish suckler beef and dairy calves: Tests for failure of passive transfer of immunity and associations with health and performance. Prev Vet Med 2018; 159:182-195. [PMID: 30314781 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The study objectives were to: 1) evaluate the diagnostic performance of passive immunity tests for classification of failure of passive transfer (FPT) risk, based on their relationships with calf health and performance, and 2) describe the epidemiology of morbidity and mortality in suckler beef and dairy calves under Irish conditions. A total of 1392 suckler beef calves (n = 111 farms) and 2090 dairy calves (84 farms) were included in this observational study. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture. Serum samples were analysed for total IgG concentration using an ELISA assay, total protein concentration by clinical analyser (TP - CA), globulin concentration, zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units, total solids percentage by Brix refractometer (TS - BRIX), and total protein concentration by digital refractometer (TP - DR). Crude and cause-specific morbidity, all-cause mortality, and standardised 205-day body weight (BW) were determined. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations between suckler beef and dairy calves for morbidity, mortality, growth and passive immunity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine optimal test cut-offs for classification of health and growth outcomes. Overall, 20% of suckler beef and 30% of dairy calves were treated for at least one disease event by 6 mo. of age. Suckler beef calves had greater odds of bovine respiratory disease (BRD; odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8, 1.2-6.5, P = 0.01), navel infection (5.1, 1.9-13.2, P < 0.001), and joint infection/lameness (3.2, 1.3-7.8, P = 0.01) during the first 6 mo. of life than dairy calves. In addition, from birth to 6 mo. of age, suckler beef calves had greater rates of navel infection (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 95% CI: 3.3, 1.3-8.4, P = 0.01), but decreased rates of diarrhoea (0.9, 0.2-0.9, P = 0.03) compared to dairy calves. Optimal test cut-offs for classification of morbidity and mortality outcomes in suckler beef calves ranged from 8 to 9 mg/ml ELISA, 56 to 61 g/l TP - CA, 26 to 40 g/l globulin, 12 to 18 ZST units, 8.4% TS - BRIX, and 5.3 to 6.3 g/dl TP - DR. Optimal test cut-offs for classification of morbidity and growth outcomes in dairy calves ranged from 10 to 12 mg/ml ELISA, 57 to 60 g/l TP - CA, 29 to 34 g/l globulin, 19 ZST units, 7.8 to 8.4% TS - BRIX, and 5.7 to 5.9 g/dl TP - DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Todd
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - K Tiernan
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland; School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Crosson
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - E O'Riordan
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - J McClure
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - I Lorenz
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland; Bavarian Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany
| | - B Earley
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
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16
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Mahmoud M, Yin T, Brügemann K, König S. Phenotypic, genetic, and single nucleotide polymorphism marker associations between calf diseases and subsequent performance and disease occurrences of first-lactation German Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:2017-2031. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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17
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Whist A, Liland K, Jonsson M, Sæbø S, Sviland S, Østerås O, Norström M, Hopp P. Designing a risk-based surveillance program for Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in Norwegian dairy herds using multivariate statistical process control analysis. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:6835-49. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-6821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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18
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O'Shaughnessy J, Mee JF, Doherty ML, Crosson P, Barrett D, O'Grady L, Earley B. Herd health status and management practices on 16 Irish suckler beef farms. Ir Vet J 2013; 66:21. [PMID: 24195997 PMCID: PMC3903451 DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-66-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There have been few studies published internationally which document herd health management practices in suckler beef herds and no published Irish studies. The study objective was to document herd health status and management practices on sixteen Irish suckler beef herds over a two year period (2009–2010). The farms used in the study were part of the Teagasc BETTER farm beef programme. The mean (s.d.) herd size, stocking rate and farm size was 68 cows (27.6), 2.0 LU/ha (0.3) and 64.3 (21.6) adjusted hectares, respectively. Two questionnaires were designed; 1) a farmer questionnaire to collect information on farm background and current herd health control practices and 2) a veterinary questionnaire to collect information on the extent of animal health advice given by veterinarians to their clients and identification of any on-farm herd health issues. Results Dystocia, calf pneumonia, and calf diarrhoea, in that order, were identified as the primary herd health issues in these Irish suckler beef herds. In addition, substantial deficiencies in biosecurity practices were also identified on these farms. Conclusions The findings of this study may serve as the focus for future research in animal health management practices in Irish suckler beef herds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co,, Meath, Ireland.
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Mee JF. Why Do So Many Calves Die on Modern Dairy Farms and What Can We Do about Calf Welfare in the Future? Animals (Basel) 2013; 3:1036-57. [PMID: 26479751 PMCID: PMC4494359 DOI: 10.3390/ani3041036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor bovine neonatal survival rates are an international animal welfare issue. The key modifiable risk factors associated with such loss are age at first calving in primiparae, calf breed, gender and gestation length and calving management. The primary causes of mortality in the perinatal period are calving problems, in particular dystocia, defined as both difficult and abnormal calvings. Calf loss rates are rising on modern dairy farms in many countries internationally. High calf loss rates are often not recognised at national or at farm-level; recording needs to be improved. Improving bovine neonatal survival requires re-prioritization of this issue. Stakeholders need to be made cognisant of this prioritization. Actions to effect change need to occur at both national and farm-levels. National-level actions need firstly to address raising awareness of the issue. Farm-level actions need to focus on identifiable problem farms through targeted surveillance. Application of existing knowledge to alter modifiable risk factors is the key to improving calf welfare in the future. Research also has a role to play in filling knowledge gaps in particular about the 'unexplained stillbirth'.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
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20
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Espetvedt MN, Reksen O, Rintakoski S, Østerås O. Data quality in the Norwegian dairy herd recording system: agreement between the national database and disease recording on farm. J Dairy Sci 2013; 96:2271-2282. [PMID: 23462169 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-6143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The majority of herds in Norway participate in the national dairy herd recording system. For disease events, this involves transferring information registered on farm, using individual cow health cards (CHC), to the central cattle database (CCD). Before using data from such a database, validation with an aim of describing data quality should be performed, but is rarely done. In this study, diagnostic events from CHC and CCD from 74 dairy herds were compared. Events in 2008 from female cattle with minimum age of 1 yr were included (n=1,738). Discrepancies between the 2 data sources and assessment of data quality were evaluated using agreement between events on CHC and in CCD, calculating completeness and correctness for the CCD, and using a multivariable regression model for agreement (1/0). The agreement evaluation described the concordance between the 2 data sources, whereas the calculations of completeness and correctness depended on a reference data source assumed to be more reliable. Completeness of the CCD was defined as the proportion of diagnostic events on the CHC that was recorded therein. Correctness was defined as the proportion of the CCD events that was also recorded on the CHC, and with the same date and diagnostic code. The agreement was up to 87.5%, the majority of disagreement being caused by unreported events on the CHC (between 10 and 12% of all events). Completeness of the CCD was regarded as high, between 0.87 and 0.88, and correctness excellent, between 0.97 and 0.98. The multivariable regression model found 4 factors that increased the odds for diagnostic events being in agreement between CHC and CCD. These were the events occurring during the 305-d lactation period; the herd size being 75 cows or less; the event occurring during the spring, summer, or winter rather than autumn; and lastly, the diagnostic code for the disease event being preprinted on the CHC, involving a simple check mark as opposed to writing a 3-digit code. The model found a high degree of clustering within herd. In conclusion, disease data in the Norwegian national database for dairy cows are valid to use for epidemiologic research, having in particular an excellent correctness, but it is of concern that at least 10% of data are missing. The proportion of unreported data should be taken into consideration whenever data from this database are used. Reasons for discrepancies found are important to be aware of in any work aiming to improve data transfer from farm to central databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Espetvedt
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep., NO-0033 Oslo, Norway.
| | - O Reksen
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep., NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - S Rintakoski
- University of Helsinki, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, PO Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - O Østerås
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep., NO-0033 Oslo, Norway; TINE Extension Services, TINE SA, PO Box 58, 1431 Ås, Norway
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Mohd Nor N, Steeneveld W, van Werven T, Mourits MCM, Hogeveen H. First-calving age and first-lactation milk production on Dutch dairy farms. J Dairy Sci 2012; 96:981-92. [PMID: 23219115 PMCID: PMC7094526 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Farmers attempting to reduce first-calving age (FCA) need to understand which rearing management factors influence FCA and first-lactation milk production (FLP). Reduced FCA might be associated with lower FLP. This study describes the association between herd FCA, FLP, and several herd-level health and rearing management variables and describes the association between FCA and FLP at the cow level. It uses data from a 2010 survey of 100 Dutch dairy farms about general management, colostrum and milk feeding, housing, cleanliness, healthcare, disease, and breeding. It also used available data on FCA and 305-d FLP at both cow and herd level. The associations between median FCA and median FLP of the herd and herd-level health and rearing management variables were determined using multivariate regression analysis. The median FCA was associated with minimum age of first insemination, feeding of waste milk, and the amount of milk given preweaning. The median FLP was associated with median FCA and vaccination status for bovine respiratory syncytial virus. The association between FCA and FLP (based on 8,454 heifers) was analyzed with a single-effect linear mixed model, where the dependent variable was either FCA or relative FCA (defined as the difference between FCA of the heifer and median FCA of the herd to which they belonged). Heifers having an FCA of 24 mo produced, on average, 7,164 kg of milk per 305 d, and calving 1 mo earlier gave 143 kg less milk per 305 d. When FCA did not deviate from the median herd FCA, heifers produced, on average, 7,272 kg of milk per 305 d. From the median FCA of the herd, heifers calving 1 mo earlier produced 90 kg of milk per 305 d less, and heifers calving 1 mo later produced 86 kg per 305 d more. This is the first study that explained FLP using relative FCA. It assumes that heifers raised within the same farm have similar development because they are similarly managed. Similar management is reflected by the median FCA of the herd, with a deviation of the heifer's FCA from median FCA reflecting the heifer's development relative to the herd's average. The advantage of using relative FCA was that it accounts for between-farm differences in rearing management. It showed that earlier insemination without adjusting management to ensure sufficient development lowers FLP. An economic optimum exists between rearing costs, FCA, and FLP and, as a consequence, decisions with regard to young stock management should be made with care.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Mohd Nor
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80151, 3508 TD, the Netherlands.
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Windeyer M, Leslie K, Godden S, Hodgins D, Lissemore K, LeBlanc S. The effects of viral vaccination of dairy heifer calves on the incidence of respiratory disease, mortality, and growth. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:6731-9. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Mohd Nor N, Steeneveld W, Mourits M, Hogeveen H. Estimating the costs of rearing young dairy cattle in the Netherlands using a simulation model that accounts for uncertainty related to diseases. Prev Vet Med 2012; 106:214-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Wolff C, Espetvedt M, Lind AK, Rintakoski S, Egenvall A, Lindberg A, Emanuelson U. Completeness of the disease recording systems for dairy cows in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden with special reference to clinical mastitis. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:131. [PMID: 22866606 PMCID: PMC3489834 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, the majority of dairy herds are covered by disease recording systems, in general based on veterinary registration of diagnoses and treatments. Disease data are submitted to the national cattle databases where they are combined with, e.g., production data at cow level, and used for breeding programmes, advisory work and herd health management. Previous studies have raised questions about the quality of the disease data. The main aim of this study was to examine the country-specific completeness of the disease data, regarding clinical mastitis (CM) diagnosis, in each of the national cattle databases. A second aim was to estimate country-specific CM incidence rates (IRs). Results Over 4 months in 2008, farmers in the four Nordic countries recorded clinical diseases in their dairy cows. Their registrations were matched to registrations in the central cattle databases. The country-specific completeness of disease registrations was calculated as the proportion of farmer-recorded cases that could be found in the central database. The completeness (95% confidence interval) for veterinary-supervised cases of CM was 0.94 (0.92, 0.97), 0.56 (0.48, 0.64), 0.82 (0.75, 0.90) and 0.78 (0.70, 0.85) in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, respectively. The completeness of registration of all CM cases, which includes all cases noted by farmers, regardless of whether the cows were seen or treated by a veterinarian or not, was 0.90 (0.87, 0.93), 0.51 (0.43, 0.59), 0.75 (0.67, 0.83) and 0.67 (0.60, 0.75), respectively, in the same countries. The IRs, estimated by Poisson regression in cases per 100 cow-years, based on the farmers’ recordings, were 46.9 (41.7, 52.7), 38.6 (34.2, 43.5), 31.3 (27.2, 35.9) and 26.2 (23.2, 26.9), respectively, which was between 20% (DK) and 100% (FI) higher than the IRs based on recordings in the central cattle databases. Conclusions The completeness for veterinary-supervised cases of CM was considerably less than 100% in all four Nordic countries and differed between countries. Hence, the number of CM cases in dairy cows is underestimated. This has an impact on all areas where the disease data are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Wolff
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Rintakoski S, Taponen J, Peltoniemi OAT, Virtala AMK. Validation of the Finnish national dairy disease register—Data transfer from cow health cards to the disease register. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:4309-18. [PMID: 22818445 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-5025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Rintakoski
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Ellingsen K, Mejdell CM, Hansen B, Grøndahl AM, Henriksen BIF, Vaarst M. Veterinarians’ and agricultural advisors’ perception of calf health and welfare in organic dairy production in Norway. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s13165-012-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Espetvedt M, Wolff C, Rintakoski S, Lind A, Østerås O. Completeness of metabolic disease recordings in Nordic national databases for dairy cows. Prev Vet Med 2012; 105:25-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Bateman H, Hill T, Aldrich J, Schlotterbeck R, Firkins J. Meta-analysis of the effect of initial serum protein concentration and empirical prediction model for growth of neonatal Holstein calves through 8 weeks of age. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:363-9. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Grønvold AMR, Mao Y, L'Abée-Lund TM, Sørum H, Sivertsen T, Yannarell AC, Mackie RI. Fecal microbiota of calves in the clinical setting: effect of penicillin treatment. Vet Microbiol 2011; 153:354-60. [PMID: 21705160 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2010] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The effect of parenteral penicillin treatment on the intestinal microbiota was determined by monitoring the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance among Escherichia coli in 19 calves (15 calves received treatment and four calves were healthy controls) and by examining changes in the fecal microbial community structure using molecular fingerprinting techniques in a subset of eight calves (five treated calves and three control calves). After five days of penicillin treatment an increased resistance to multiple unrelated antimicrobial agents, including non-β-lactams, was seen in E. coli from treated calves, and this was not seen in the controls. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) revealed that penicillin treatment causes a significant variation in the microbial structure within an individual calf. The study shows that parenteral administration of penicillin has an impact on the composition of the fecal microbiota in calves, and on the antimicrobial resistance pattern of their fecal E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Mette R Grønvold
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NSVS), Pb 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway
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Gulliksen SM, Jor E, Lie KI, Løken T, Akerstedt J, Østerås O. Respiratory infections in Norwegian dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2009; 92:5139-46. [PMID: 19762832 PMCID: PMC7126448 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence of respiratory agents in Norwegian dairy calves and to identify risk factors for respiratory disease. The participating 135 herds were randomly selected from those in The Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System with at least 15 cow years. Each herd was followed for 1 yr. Blood samples from calves of >150 d of age (n = 1,348) were analyzed for antibodies against parainfluenza virus 3, bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and Mycoplasma bovis. Calves reported to have been on pasture (n = 139) were tested for antibodies against Dictyocaulus viviparus. Seroprevalences for parainfluenza virus 3, BCoV, BRSV, and D. viviparus at the calf level were 50.2, 39.3, 31.2, and 4.3%, respectively. No calves were antibody positive for M. bovis. Calves in herds with BCoV-seropositive calves had an increased risk of respiratory disease compared with herds in which BCoV antibodies were not detected [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.9], as had calves in herds in which the majority (>54%) of the sampled calves were seropositive for BRSV (HR = 2.7). Other factors found to increase the risk of respiratory disease in calves were shared housing with cows during the first week of life compared with separate housing (HR = 16.7), a larger herd size (>50 cow years) compared with smaller herds (HR = 8.2), more than an 8-wk age difference between calves housed together in the same group pen compared with having pen mates of a more similar age (HR = 3.9), previous recordings of diarrhea compared with no recorded diarrhea (HR = 3.9), and leaving calves with dams for >24 h after birth compared with earlier separation (HR = 3.5).
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Gulliksen
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science Dep, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway.
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Gulliksen SM, Jor E, Lie KI, Hamnes IS, Løken T, Akerstedt J, Osterås O. Enteropathogens and risk factors for diarrhea in Norwegian dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2009; 92:5057-66. [PMID: 19762824 PMCID: PMC7094401 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aims of the current study were to estimate the prevalence of enteropathogens in calves in Norwegian dairy herds, evaluate the clinical consequences of protozoal infections, and identify risk factors for diarrhea. The 135 participating herds were randomly selected from those in The Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System that had at least 15 cow-years. Each herd was followed for 1 yr. Fecal samples from calves with (n = 68) or without (n = 691) diarrhea were analyzed for the presence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Eimeria species. Diarrheic samples (n = 191) were assayed for rotavirus group A, bovine coronavirus (BCoV), Cryptosporidium, and Escherichia coli F5 by antigen ELISA. Blood samples (n = 1,348) were analyzed for antibodies against BCoV and rotavirus. Potential risk factors for diarrhea were analyzed by using Cox regression analysis adjusted for herd frailty effect. Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium were the most commonly detected enteropathogens in diarrheic samples. A high level of Cryptosporidium shedding or BCoV seropositive calves in a herd was associated with an increased risk of diarrhea. Other factors found to increase the risk of diarrhea were use of slatted concrete floor in group pens versus other floor types [hazard ratio (HR) = 8.9], housing of calves in free-stalls compared with tie-stalls (HR = 3.7), purchasing of calves into the herd versus not purchasing calves (HR = 4.1), and calves being born during winter compared with other seasons of the year (HR = 1.5).
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Gulliksen
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science Dep, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway.
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Abstract
The aims of this study were to estimate mortality rates in Norwegian dairy calves and young stock up to 1 yr of age, identify risk factors for calf mortality, and evaluate the etiology of calf mortality based on postmortem analyses. The material comprised 3 data sets. The first data set included information on 289,038 offspring in 14,474 dairy herds registered in the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System (NDHRS) in 2005. The second included recordings on 5,382 offspring in 125 Norwegian dairy herds participating in a survey on calf health, and the third included results from postmortem analyses of 65 calves from 37 of the survey herds. The calf mortality rate during the first year of life in all herds registered in the NDHRS was 7.8%, including abortion (0.7%) and stillbirth (3.4%). The overall calf mortality rate in liveborn calves in the survey herds was 4.6%. Cows with severe calving difficulties had an odds ratio (OR) of 38.7 of stillbirth compared with cows with no calving difficulties. Twins and triplets showed an increased risk of stillbirth compared with singletons (OR = 4.2 and 46.3, respectively), as did calves born in free stalls compared with tie stalls (OR = 1.9). Respiratory disease increased the risk of death in all age groups with hazard ratios (HR) of 6.4, 6.5, 7.4, and 5.6 during the first week of life, 8 to 30 d of age, 31 to 180 d of age, and 181 to 365 d of age, respectively. Diarrhea increased the risk of death among calves younger than 180 d of age, but the influence was only significant during the first week of life and between 8 to 31 d of age (HR = 2.4 and 2.9, respectively). Calves born during the winter were more likely to die during the first week of life than calves born during the summer (OR = 1.2), and were more likely to die during the first month of life than calves born during the autumn (OR = 1.2). Calf mortality rates in all age groups increased with increasing herd size. Calves housed in a group pen from 2 wk of age were more likely to die during the first month of life than calves housed individually (HR = 1.5). Bronchopneumonia and enteritis were the most frequent postmortem diagnoses, with proportional rates of 27.7 and 15.4%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Gulliksen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.
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