Eindrapportage Veerkracht van Melkvee I : verandering van dynamiek, voorspellende kracht

The transition period is a critical phase in the life of dairy cows. Early identification of cows at risk for disease would allow for early intervention and optimization of the transition period. Based on the theory of resilience of biological systems we hypothesize that the level of vulnerability of an individual cow can be quantified by describing dynamical aspects of continuously measured physiological and behavioural variables. To examine the relationship between the risk to develop diseases early in lactation and dynamic patterns of high-resolution, physiological and behavioural data, were continuously recorded in individual cows before calving. Dynamic, quantitative parameters for high-resolution physiological and behavioural measures, continuously acquired during the dry period have predictive value for the risk of cows to develop diseases during the early lactation period. Our results suggest that quantitative parameters derived from sensor data may reflect the level of resilience of individual cows

Prevalence of Locomotory System Disorders in Veal Calves and Risk Factors for Occurrence of Bursitis

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of locomotory system disorders within a wide cross-sectional study in 174 veal calves farms and to investigate risk factors associated to disorders with a relevant prevalence (>1%). A representative sample of the European veal production systems was considered in the three major producing countries (100 in NL, 50 in FR, 24 in IT). One batch/farm was observed in three stages of the fattening. At each visit calves with evidence of bursitis, hoof lesions, joint lesions, and lameness were recorded. A set of production system descriptors gathered by an interview to the farmer were considered as potential risks. Results showed an average prevalence ≤1% of calves for hoof and joint lesions, and lameness at any stage. Bursitis was observed on 0.2%, 4.1% and 11.2% of calves at 3, 13 wks and at the end of fattening, respectively. Risk factors for bursitis were linked to concrete and wooden slatted floors, to space allowance ≤1.8 m2/calf, and floors aged <8 years while type of housing system (small vs. large groups) was not relevant. There was a significant interaction between stage of fattening and type of floor on bursitis. At the early stage, slatted and bedded floor were similar while at the end of the fattening the highest least mean was observed for calves on concrete floors. Bedding materials had a preventive effect. Rubber or straw should be largely adopted for veal calves as alternative solutions to hard floors in order to improve animals’ comfort, locomotory system health and welfare status

A Systematic Review of Automatic Health Monitoring in Calves : Glimpsing the Future From Current Practice

Infectious diseases, particularly bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), are prevalent in calves. Efficient health-monitoring tools to identify such diseases on time are lacking. Common practice (i.e., health checks) often identifies sick calves at a late stage of disease or not at all. Sensor technology enables the automatic and continuous monitoring of calf physiology or behavior, potentially offering timely and precise detection of sick calves. A systematic overview of automated disease detection in calves is still lacking. The objectives of this literature review were hence: to investigate previously applied sensor validation methods used in the context of calf health, to identify sensors used on calves, the parameters these sensors monitor, and the statistical tools applied to identify diseases, to explore potential research gaps and to point to future research opportunities. To achieve these objectives, systematic literature searches were conducted. We defined four stages in the development of health-monitoring systems: (1) sensor technique, (2) data interpretation, (3) information integration, and (4) decision support. Fifty-four articles were included (stage one: 26; stage two: 19; stage three: 9; and stage four: 0). Common parameters that assess the performance of these systems are sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and negative predictive value. Gold standards that typically assess these parameters include manual measurement and manual health-assessment protocols. At stage one, automatic feeding stations, accelerometers, infrared thermography cameras, microphones, and 3-D cameras are accurate in screening behavior and physiology in calves. At stage two, changes in feeding behaviors, lying, activity, or body temperature corresponded to changes in health status, and point to health issues earlier than manual health checks. At stage three, accelerometers, thermometers, and automatic feeding stations have been integrated into one system that was shown to be able to successfully detect diseases in calves, including BRD and NCD. We discuss these findings, look into potentials at stage four, and touch upon the topic of resilience, whereby health-monitoring system might be used to detect low resilience (i.e., prone to disease but clinically healthy calves), promoting further improvements in calf health and welfare

Het effect van leeftijd bij opzetten op immuunparameters, gezondheid en groei van vleeskalveren

In het kader van de PPS ‘Vitaal & Gezond Kalf’ en de PPS ‘Kansen voor het Kalf in de Keten’ is een omvangrijk longitudinaal experiment uitgevoerd waarbij kalveren intensief zijn gevolgd vanaf het melkveebedrijf van geboorte tot en met het einde van de ronde op het kalverbedrijf. Over de resultaten van dit experiment zijn twee Engelstalige artikelen verschenen in het wetenschappelijke tijdschrift Journal of Dairy Science (Marcato et al., 2022a,b). In deze Nederlandstalige rapportage worden de hoofdlijnen van deze wetenschappelijke artikelen uiteengezet, met het accent op het effect van leeftijd van kalveren bij opzetten op het kalverbedrijf

Eindrapportage Veerkracht van Melkvee I : verandering van dynamiek, voorspellende kracht

The transition period is a critical phase in the life of dairy cows. Early identification of cows at risk for disease would allow for early intervention and optimization of the transition period. Based on the theory of resilience of biological systems we hypothesize that the level of vulnerability of an individual cow can be quantified by describing dynamical aspects of continuously measured physiological and behavioural variables. To examine the relationship between the risk to develop diseases early in lactation and dynamic patterns of high-resolution, physiological and behavioural data, were continuously recorded in individual cows before calving. Dynamic, quantitative parameters for high-resolution physiological and behavioural measures, continuously acquired during the dry period have predictive value for the risk of cows to develop diseases during the early lactation period. Our results suggest that quantitative parameters derived from sensor data may reflect the level of resilience of individual cows

Barren diets increase wakeful inactivity in calves

Inactivity is a vastly understudied behavioural category, which may reflect positive or negative affective states in captive or domesticated animals. Increased inactivity in barren-housed animals, in combination with an increased or decreased interest in stimuli, e.g. novel objects, can indicate boredom or apathy. Another theory is that inactivity is an alternative strategy to stereotypies to cope with sub-optimal conditions. The aim of this study was to further our understanding of inactive behaviours and possible associated negative affective states in intensively raised calves fed different diets. In two separate experiments, Holstein-Friesian veal calves (N = 40 + 160) were fed barren or enriched diets: 1) imposed/restricted diet versus free dietary choice (experiment 1); 2) no additional straw versus ad libitum provision of straw (experiment 2); 3) low versus high solid feed provision (experiment 2); 4) bucket versus automated milk dispenser for milk replacer feeding, with high or low solid feed provision (experiment 2). Inactive behaviours, i.e. experiment 1: lie, idle and sleep; experiment 2: lie idle, stand idle, and sleep, were recorded at two ages (experiment 1: 12 and 26. wk; experiment 2: 15 and 24. wk) using instantaneous scan sampling. In experiment 2, latency to touch two novel objects was recorded at 15 and 24. wk. No differences in inactivity were found between calves with a restricted or free choice diet (experiment 1). However, calves fed the more barren diets in experiment 2 showed more lying idle at 24. wk of age, and calves with no ad libitum straw in particular, showed more standing idle at 24. wk of age (P. <. 0.05). No differences in latency to touch the novel objects were found. Therefore, although barren diets were generally associated with higher levels of inactivity, we found no support that this inactivity reflected boredom or apathy. Only weak associations were found between inactivity and stereotypies, providing only limited support for the idea that these constitute alternative strategies to cope with sub-optimal conditions.</p

Barren diets increase wakeful inactivity in calves

Inactivity is a vastly understudied behavioural category, which may reflect positive or negative affective states in captive or domesticated animals. Increased inactivity in barren-housed animals, in combination with an increased or decreased interest in stimuli, e.g. novel objects, can indicate boredom or apathy. Another theory is that inactivity is an alternative strategy to stereotypies to cope with sub-optimal conditions. The aim of this study was to further our understanding of inactive behaviours and possible associated negative affective states in intensively raised calves fed different diets. In two separate experiments, Holstein-Friesian veal calves (N = 40 + 160) were fed barren or enriched diets: 1) imposed/restricted diet versus free dietary choice (experiment 1); 2) no additional straw versus ad libitum provision of straw (experiment 2); 3) low versus high solid feed provision (experiment 2); 4) bucket versus automated milk dispenser for milk replacer feeding, with high or low solid feed provision (experiment 2). Inactive behaviours, i.e. experiment 1: lie, idle and sleep; experiment 2: lie idle, stand idle, and sleep, were recorded at two ages (experiment 1: 12 and 26. wk; experiment 2: 15 and 24. wk) using instantaneous scan sampling. In experiment 2, latency to touch two novel objects was recorded at 15 and 24. wk. No differences in inactivity were found between calves with a restricted or free choice diet (experiment 1). However, calves fed the more barren diets in experiment 2 showed more lying idle at 24. wk of age, and calves with no ad libitum straw in particular, showed more standing idle at 24. wk of age (P. <. 0.05). No differences in latency to touch the novel objects were found. Therefore, although barren diets were generally associated with higher levels of inactivity, we found no support that this inactivity reflected boredom or apathy. Only weak associations were found between inactivity and stereotypies, providing only limited support for the idea that these constitute alternative strategies to cope with sub-optimal conditions.</p

Evaluating potential biomarkers of health and performance in veal calves

Veal calves undergo many challenges in the early stages of their life. Such challenges, including mixing procedures and transportation of calves to the veal farm, may have a negative influence on growth rate, feed intake, metabolism, immunity and disease susceptibility of calves. As a consequence, many hematological, physiological, metabolic and immunological parameters of stressed calves might be altered on arrival at the veal farm. Some of these response variables might be useful as biomarkers of performance of calves at the veal farm as they might provide information about an ongoing disease process, or may predict future diseases. Biomarkers might be helpful to group and manage calves in different risk categories after arrival. By adopting treatment decisions and protocols on a risk-group or individual basis, it would be possible to improve animal health and reduce both disease incidence and antibiotic use. Moreover, the use of biomarkers might be an economically feasible approach as some of them do not need invasive techniques and others can be measured in blood already taken during routine checks. Previous literature mainly assessed the physiological responses of calves to transportation. However, information on the link between on-farm arrival data and future health and performance of veal calves is limited. This review, therefore, examined a wide range of papers and aimed to identify potential biomarkers of future health and performance.</p