The impact of Theileria parva infections and other factors on calf mean daily weight gains in smallholder dairy farms in Murang’a District, Kenya

The association between mean daily weight gain, Theileria parva infections, clinical East Coast fever and other possible determinants of weight gain were examined in a longitudinal observational study that was conducted in cohorts of female calves from five agro-ecological zone (AEZ)-grazing strata. The strata were upper-midlands (UM) 1 zero-grazing, UM 1 open-grazing, UM 2 zero-grazing, UM 4 zero-grazing and UM 4 open-grazing. In total, 225 calves on 188 smallholder dairy farms were visited within the first 2 weeks of life and thereafter at biweekly intervals up to the age of 6 months between March 1995 and August 1996. During each visit, the calves were weighed and other calf-management practices in the farm during the visit such as housing, feeding and tick control also were recorded. Other events such as morbidity and mortality between or during the visits were also recorded.The overall mean daily weight gains were 0.24–0.29 kg (S.D.=0.17–0.22 kg) and were lower than the recommended targets for smallholder farms of 0.40–0.50 kg. The major tendency in variability of daily weight gains was due to visit-to-visit variation (especially in calves >3 months old).Differences in mean daily gains were associated with AEZ-grazing strata and calf-level factors that included breed of calf, calf sickness, incidence of ECF, feeding of milk, concentrate feeds and minerals and interaction between calf age and AEZ-grazing strata (P<0.05). ECF and other calf sicknesses exerted a temporal effect on calf-growth at the height of illness and immediately after; calves later recovered the lost growth except where other factors such as poor calf nutrition prevailed. Improvement in calf-growth in Murang’a District is achievable and extension services should continue to target individual-calf-level management practices.     

The incidence, calf morbidity and mortality due to Theileria parva infections in smallholder dairy farms in Murang'a District, Kenya

A prospective observational study was conducted among smallholder dairy farmers in Murang'a District, Kenya, to estimate the incidence of Theileria parva infections, as well as calf morbidity and mortality caused by the infection. The study was conducted between March 1995 and August 1996, in five cohorts of female calves from birth to six months of age from different agro-ecological zones (AEZs) and grazing-system strata shown previously to have varying prevalences of T. parva infection. A total of 188 smallholder dairy farms with 225 female calves were selected purposively by five AEZ-grazing strata. All recruited calves were visited within the first two weeks of life and thereafter at biweekly intervals up to the age of six months. The mean number of cattle in these smallholder farms was 2.6. Both exotic and indigenous breeds of cattle and their crosses were present, with the former predominating. The incidence (27-54%) of sero-conversion to T. parva in an ELISA test was significantly different (p < 0.05) across the five AEZ-grazing strata and increased with lower elevation and unrestricted grazing. Calf morbidity and mortality were also variable across the AEZ-grazing strata. East Coast fever (ECF) was the highest-incidence cause calf morbidity and mortality (relative to other diseases). There are great differences in the epidemiology of ECF within a small area and this implies that there is need to carefully consider different ECF control strategies in different AEZ-grazing strata.     

Effect of agro-ecological zone and grazing system on incidence of East Coast Fever in calves in Mbale and Sironko Districts of Eastern Uganda

Between May 2002 and February 2003 a longitudinal survey was carried out in Mbale and Sironko Districts of Eastern Uganda to determine the influence of agro-ecological zones (AEZ) and grazing systems on tick infestation patterns and incidence of East Coast Fever (ECF) in bovine calves. The study area was stratified into AEZ (lowland, midland and upland) and grazing systems {zero grazing (ZG), restricted-outdoor grazing (ROG) and communal grazing (CG)}, whose strata had previously been shown to influence the prevalence of ECF, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. One hundred and eighty-five smallholder dairy farms with a total of 198 calves of both sexes, between the ages of 1 day and 6 weeks, were purposively selected from the AEZ–grazing system strata. Nine dynamic cohorts (11–51 calves in each) of these calves were examined and sampled monthly. Ticks infesting the calves were counted from one side of the animal body and categorized into the different species, sex and feeding status. Sera were collected at recruitment and monthly thereafter and antibodies against Theileria parva, T. mutans, Babesia bigemina, B. bovis and Anaplasma marginale were measured using ELISA. Tick challenge (total and specific) varied with AEZ and grazing system. The risk of infection with T. parva was higher in the lowland zone compared to the upland zone (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.00–6.34). The risk of infection with T. parva was higher in the CG system than the ZG system (HR = 10.00; 95% CI: 3.61–27.92). The incidence risk for sero-conversion, over the 10 months study period, was 62, 16 and 9% in the lowland, midland and upland zones, respectively. Ninety-eight percent of the calves in lowland-CG stratum sero-converted by the age of 6 months, while 56 and 8% did so in the lowland-ROG and the lowland-ZG stratum, respectively. The results of this study show the need to consider farm circumstances and the variation in ECF risk, both spatially and temporally when designing control strategies for ECF.     

Management practices and risk factors for morbidity and mortality in Minnesota dairy heifer calves

This prospective study involved 845 Holstein heifer calves born during 1991 on 30 dairy farms in southeast Minnesota. The objectives of the part of the study reported here were to examine relationships between management practices and incidence of morbidity and mortality at both herd and individual-calf levels. A survey administered by the investigators identified the herd management practices. Check-off forms completed by cooperating producers captured the individual-calf risk factors. Data collected included events surrounding each calf's birth as well as treatments and disease diagnoses for each heifer calf. Outcomes of interest were any occurrence of enteritis, pneumonia, or death between birth and 16 weeks of age. Time, place and date of birth, ease of birth, colostrum administration and any other treatments at birth, housing and any other treatments were the risk factors of interest. The overall morbidity rate for the study was 0.2 calves treated per 100 calf-days at risk (range 0-0.8, standard deviation 0.2), while the rates for scours and pneumonia were 0.15 cases per 100 calf-days at risk (0-0.7, ± 0.2) and 0.10 (0-0.7, ± 0.2) cases per 100 calf-days at risk, respectively. The mortality rate for the study period was 0.08 deaths per 100 calf-days at risk (0-0.3, ± 0.08); 64 heifers (7.5%) died during the study. Mean average daily weight gains for heifers from birth to 16 weeks of age was 0.82 kg day⁻¹ for all farms (0.45–1.1, ± 0.2). In general, stated herd management practices were practiced at the individual-calf level. Several herd management practices altered the outcomes of interest. For example, the feeding of a coccidiostat to preweaned calves increased the herd risk of pneumonia (relative risk, 3.38; 95% CI 1.34–8.50). The feeding of a vitamin A-D-E supplement to preweaned calves exerted a protective effect against scours (0.35, 0.13–0.93). Managing group pens for weaned calves in an ‘all-in, all-out’ fashion rather than in a continuous flow system contributed to a farm having an average daily rate of gain that was above the median (3.06, 1.34–6.97). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to describe relationships between risk factors and the outcomes of interest. Calves that required assisted delivery were at an increased risk of developing enteritis sooner than those that were born without assistance. No other risk factors had a significant effect.     

Colostrum quality,IgG absorption and daily weight gain of calves in small-scale dairy production systems in Southern Vietnam

Dairy production is expanding rapidly in Vietnam, but still, the smallholder farms are most common. The aim of this study was therefore to get improved knowledge about colostrum quality in dairy cows, immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption, daily weight gain in dairy calves and calf management in small-scale dairy production systems in Southern Vietnam. A field survey was conducted on 40 farms, with two calves on each farm being intensively studied. It was observed that newborn calves were separated from their dams immediately after birth and offered 2–4 L first colostrum within 4 h by bucket feeding. The first colostrum IgG level, fat and protein content were on average 35.6, 4.8 and 21.4%, respectively, and 91% of the cows produced colostrum of good quality (Brix value >22%). The IgG level in serum of calves, measured as Brix value, was on average 9.3%. Colostrum in the samples studied was of quite high quality and on-farm observations showed that colostrum was offered on the first day of calf life, so passive transfer of immunity to the calves was high. In total, 10% of the calves had a Brix value for IgG in serum lower than 8.3%, indicating that those calves had suffered from failure of passive immune transfer (FPT). The daily weight gain of female and male calves was 0.75 and 0.54 kg, respectively. Serum IgG was positively correlated with colostrum protein (P = 0.002). Daily weight gain and diarrhoea was negatively correlated (P = 0.001).     

Production indices, calf health and mortality on seven red veal farms in Ontario.

Production, morbidity, mortality and culling were investigated on seven commercial red veal farms in Ontario. The total number of calves included in the study group was 2251. The mean exit weight of marketed calves was 291 kg, with an average daily gain of 1.52 kg/day over the entire production period. The percentage of calves receiving one or more treatment days was 55%, with an average number of individual treatment days per treated calf of 3.9. An increasing number of treatment days, particularly up to eight days of treatment, was associated with decreasing average daily gain, and an increased probability of being lost from production due to death or culling. The percentage of calves which died during production was 5.4, with 0.8% of calves culled.     

Calf morbidity and mortality in smallholder dairy farms in Ada’a Liben district of Oromia,Ethiopia

A longitudinal observational study on calf morbidity and mortality was conducted in smallholder dairy farms in Ada’a Liben district of Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 185 calves from 112 market oriented smallholder dairy farms were selected randomly and regularly monitored for clinical health problems up to six months of age. Information on potential risk factors was collected by personal observation during the regular visit to farms and from questionnaire survey conducted during the study period. The overall incidences of crude morbidity and crude mortality were 62 % and 22%, respectively. The most frequent disease syndrome was calf diarrhea with the incidence of 39% followed by joint ill 6%. The other disease conditions/syndromes diagnosed include navel ill, pneumonia, septicemic conditions, congenital problems and miscellaneous cases. Age of the calves, age at first colostrum ingestion and cleanness of the calf barns significantly influenced morbidity. Older calves (greater than three months of age) were at lower risk of crude morbidity than younger calves (less than three months of age) (HR = 0.42, P = 0.001). Higher risk of crude morbidity was observed in calves that ingested their first colostrum meal later than 6 hours of age compared to those that ingested colostrum earlier (HR = 2.24, P = 0.001). Similarly, calves housed in unclean barns were at higher risk of morbidity than calves housed in clean barns (HR = 1.75, P = 0.024). Of the 20 potential risk factors investigated, age was the only factor that was found significantly associated with mortality (HR = 0.04, P = 0.001). Calves older than three months of age were at lower risk of mortality than younger calves.     

The determination at housing of exposure to gastrointestinal nematode infections in first-grazing season calves

Various parameter estimates were assessed at housing in calves that had been exposed to gastrointestinal nematodes during a first grazing season. The analysis involved 41 groups of first grazing season (FGS) calves on 15 different farms in Belgium and comprised groups that had received chemoprophylactic treatment and untreated controls. Serum pepsinogen levels gave the clearest division between chemoprophylactic-treated calf groups (all were <2.6 U tyr), and untreated calf groups in which sub-clinical (range: 2.0–4.1 U tyr) and clinical infections (range 3.7–6.3 U tyr) occurred. There was also a tight relationship between individual pepsinogen values and adult Ostertagia burdens obtained at slaughter. In chemoprophylactic-treated groups there was a significant negative relationship between mean serum pepsinogen levels at housing and the proportion of the grazing season covered by different chemoprophylactic systems. Although only limited data on crude adult Ostertagia antigen ELISA were available, a good relationship between optical densities and estimated exposure was also found. The parasitological parameters, faecal egg counts and pasture Ostertagia larval counts at housing, and weight gain per day, gave less clear divisions among the three categories (chemoprophylaxis, sub-clinical and clinical). Distinguishing how much exposure a calf group has experienced during a first grazing season could help in designing more appropriate control measures for the FGS calves in the next year, assuring good protection and at the same time allowing sufficient exposure for the development of acquired immunity to Ostertagia, and for this serum pepsinogen is recommended.     

The effect of parenteral iron supply on hematology, health, growth and meat classification in veal calves.

Twenty veal calves were fed milk substitute containing 19 mg Fe/kg; ten calves were supplemented with iron in accordance with their requirements and the other 10 were unsupplemented controls. Serum iron (SI), hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined at the start of the experiment and then every third week. From 3 weeks after the start to the end of the experiment there were significant differences between SI mean values between treated and untreated calves. In the treated group the Hb mean values were unchanged during the experiment while the untreated group had a significant decrease. The mean PCV values were also decreased. The daily gain was 1.36 g higher per calf in the treated group. The feed consumption per kg gain was 18 g lower and the carcass weight was 4.2 kg higher per calf in the treated group. The points for color and structure of carcass were 2.5 units higher per calf in the untreated group. The incidence of enteritis was less in the treated calves than in the untreated ones.     

The incidence of calf morbidity and mortality due to vector-borne infections in smallholder dairy farms in Kwale District, Kenya

An observational longitudinal study was carried out on 92 randomly selected smallholder farms in two coastal lowland zones of Kwale District in Kenya between December 1997 and November 1999. The objective was to estimate the incidence of the main vector-transmitted diseases in pre-weaned calves. From an initial 41 pure or cross-bred Bos taurus calves which were less than 2 months and whose birth and disease histories were known, study calves were recruited progressively and monitored until they were weaned at around 146 days. Overall, 130 calves in 67 farms were monitored and these contributed a total risk period of 30,062 days.

Disease parameters were analysed and compared as true annual and age-specific incidence rates. The incidences of East Coast fever (ECF) (23.1%) and trypanosomosis (29.1%) were the highest among the vector-borne diseases. The corresponding mortality incidence rates of ECF and trypanosomosis were 10.9 and 3.6%, respectively. The annual incidence rates of anaplasmosis and babesiosis were 10.9 and 1.2%, respectively. There was no mortality arising specifically from anaplasmosis or babesiosis. Analysis of survival times to natural infection indicated that the field challenge resulting to cases of trypanosomosis was much higher compared to the risk of either ECF or anaplasmosis. It was concluded that these vector-borne diseases constrain production of replacement stock in this coastal lowlands region of Kenya.     

牧场犊牛发病次数与生长发育的关系

通过对全国157 个规模化牧场在2020年1—12 月出生的220 日龄内母犊牛各阶段发病次数、体重和日增重进行分析,旨在研究犊牛不同阶段发病次数对其后期体重、日增重的影响。结果表明:(1)断奶前后,60 日龄内发病次数≥2 次的犊牛,61~129 日龄体重、日增重极显著低于未发病犊牛和发病次数为1 次的犊牛(P<0.01);(2)转育成时,60 日龄内发病次数≥2 次的犊牛,转育成171~219 日龄体重极显著低于未发病犊牛和发病次数为1 次的犊牛(P<0.01);60~179 日龄发病次数≥1 次,转育成171~219 日龄体重和转育成日增重极显著低于未发病组(P<0.01)。因此,犊牛发病次数越多,后期生长发育越缓慢,建议牧场重视并加强犊牛断奶前后和转育成的饲养管理,做好疾病防治,以减少发病次数。     

How milk-fed dairy calves perform in stable versus dynamic groups

The objective of the present field trial was to compare calf performance among pre-weaned calves in two different group housing systems, stable groups (“all in–all out”) and dynamic groups (continuous introduction). Performance data was collected from 484 calves randomly assigned to the two systems at six large (230–450 cows) commercial Danish dairy herds. All six farms had both systems simultaneously in the same stall, and under identical management and feeding regimes.Calves in stable groups had significantly higher daily live weight gain than calves in dynamic groups (870 vs. 810 g/days). The prevalence of both diarrhoea and respiratory disease were more than twice as high among calves in dynamic groups compared to calves in stable groups.     

Incidence of respiratory disorders during housing in non-weaned Charolais calves in cow-calf farms of Pays de la Loire (Western France)

We assessed the incidence rate of respiratory disorders during the 1999–2000 housing period in non-weaned calves reared in a specific cow–calf farming system in western France, examined its variations according to age of the calf, housing facility and meteorological conditions, and described the different time-distribution patterns of incident cases within the barns. Treatments for respiratory disorders were recorded by the farmers on a specific sheet according a written definition provided. A case “occurred” on a given day if the calf concerned was treated for respiratory disorder on this day but not in the previous 14 days. At the barn level, episodes of respiratory disorder were determined based on the time-distribution of incident cases. An episode started on a given day if at least one case occurred on this day in the barn concerned without any cases occurring in the previous 14 days. Data were suitable for analysis for 6813 calves, in 199 barns, located in 137 farms, where no metaphylactic treatment (mass treatment of ill and not-ill calves at the barn level) was implemented. The incidence rate of respiratory disorders was 1.89 cases per 1000 calf-days at-risk. The proportion of reoccurrent cases was 8.6%. During the 1999–2000 housing period, cases occurred more frequently between 1 November and 20 January. The incidence rate of cases peaked between 14 and 20 days of age and was lower after 105 days of age. Large variation in incidence existed among barns. In one-third of the buildings, no case was observed. A higher incidence of cases was observed in loose-housing yards compared to tied-cow stalls. No clear trend between daily meteorological measurements and daily incidence rate of cases was evidenced. A total of 11 barn-level episodes occurred in 9 tied-cow stalls and 229 barn-level episodes occurred in 120 loose-housing yards. Large variations in the characteristics of episodes (duration, incidence of sick calves) and in their time-distribution existed between barns.     

Effects of natural zeolite clinoptilolite on passive immunity and diarrhea in newborn Holstein calves

In the present study, the effects of natural zeolite clinoptilolite on absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum and incidence of enteric diseases were evaluated. In a completely randomised design, thirty Holstein calves were fed pooled colostrum and then milk containing zero (control), 0.5 (T1), 1.0 (T2), 1.5 (T3) and 2.0 (T4) g clinoptilolite per kg body weight per day through day 45. Blood was collected after birth and at 24 h of age and plasma IgG and IgM concentrations were determined. Fecal consistency score and severity of diarrhea were recorded for each calf twice daily. Calves receiving T3 and T4 had lower (P < 0.05) plasma IgG concentration than control and other treatments. Calves on T2 had higher (P < 0.05) plasma IgG concentration than T3 and T4, but not T1 and control. Inclusion of clinoptilolite to colostrum did not affect (P > 0.05) IgM absorption from the intestine of newborn calves. Fecal consistency scores were lower (P < 0.05) for calves on T1 and T2 and higher for calves on T3 and T4 than calves on control. Percent calf days with diarrhea followed the same trend. In overall, seven calves died, those being one each on control and T1, two on T3 and three on T4. Based upon these results, addition of 1.0 g clinoptilolite per kg body weight per day to colostrum and milk could reduce diarrhea, but its effect on passive immunity was negligible. Over 1.0 g/kg body weight per day, clinoptilolite had adverse effect on passive immunity and diarrhea.     

高饲料成本下断奶犊牛培育的营养调控措施

目的 为了解决奶牛养殖企业在降低断奶犊牛培育饲料成本上存在的难点。方法 本试验在天津嘉立荷牧业集团有限公司断奶犊牛饲养管理技术水平上,对犊牛前期配合料进行营养水平调整,研发新的犊牛后期配合料,并对比两种犊牛颗粒料在断奶犊牛中的饲喂效果。结果 饲喂两种犊牛颗粒料,断奶犊牛日粮总采食量、日增重、日增体高、日增体斜长和日增腹围无差异（P>0.05）,其中平均日粮总采食量分别为5.70 kg和5.90 kg,平均日增重分别为1.20 kg和1.22 kg,平均日增体高分别为0.23 cm和0.22 cm,平均日增体斜长分别为0.27 cm和0.28 cm,平均日增腹围分别为0.43 cm和0.44 cm;饲喂了犊牛后期配合料,断奶犊牛腹泻率降低了0.20 个百分点,日粮采食成本可节约133.98 元/头·d;日增重成本可节约24.36元/头·d。结论 犊牛后期配合料既能降低断奶犊牛培育的饲养成本,又能满足断奶犊牛生长发育营养需要。     

Productivity of Crossbred Dairy Cows Suckling their Calves for 12 or 24 Weeks Post Calving

An experiment on restricted suckling of crossbred dairy cows was conducted at the Livestock Research Centre, Tanga in northeast Tanzania. Thirty-six Bos taurus (Holstein Friesian and Jersey) x Bos indicus (East African Zebu) cows were allocated alternately as they calved to suckling their calves for either 12 or 24 weeks after calving. Cows grazed improved pastures and were offered 4 kg concentrate daily. Milking occurred twice daily by hand; calves were allowed to suck residual milk for 30 min following each milking. Calves were also allowed access to grazing and were offered a maximum of 1 kg concentrate daily to 24 weeks of age. Weaning age had no significant effect on lactation milk yield for human consumption, the mean (SE) yield being 1806 (102.0) L and 1705 (129.1) L for 12- and 24-week weaning, respectively. Cows from the two treatments suffered similar losses of live weight and body condition score during lactation and neither group had returned to the original body condition score 40 weeks following calving. Post-partum anoestrous intervals were prolonged. Although not significant, cows suckling calves to 24 weeks had a mean interval to first oestrus extended by 38 days compared with cows suckling calves to 12 weeks. The mean (SE) daily live weight gains of the calves to 52 weeks were 263 (14.1) g/day and 230 (18.1) g/day for calves weaned at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively, such that 12-month weights were 119 (5.6) kg and 110 (7.3) kg, respectively. Twelve-week-weaned calves consumed more concentrate (p<0.05) from 13 to 24 weeks than did 24-week weaned calves. Calculation of residual milk consumption removed by calves from birth to 12 weeks indicated that it accounted for 28%) of total yield. No benefits in cow and calf performance and welfare were found to justify prolonging the suckling period to 24 weeks.     

The toxicity of Castanospermum australe seeds for cattle

Two calves given a mean of 16.1 g and 16.4 g ripe Castanospermum australe seeds/kg body weight daily for 13 and 16 days respectively developed haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. The first calf died. The second calf had mild myocardial degeneration and necrosis and mild nephrosis at necropsy. Two calves given a mean of 16.8 g unripe C. australe seeds/kg body weight daily for 18 days remained clinically normal and had mild gastritis at necropsy. The activity of alpha-glucosidase was reduced in the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and in skeletal muscle. This was attributed to the presence of the indolizidine alkaloid, castanospermine, in the seeds. The toxin causing the gastroenteritis and other lesions is unknown.     

Cerebro-cortical necrosis (C.C.N.) in calf. An experimental reproduction of the disease

In four ruminant calves a state of thiamine deficiency was brought about with a thiamine antagonist, amprolium. Twice daily the calves were given Amprolmix® containing 25 % amprolium through a stomach tube. The dosage was 350–500 mg/kg body weight daily during the entire experimental period. After 31 days the first calf showed fully developed symptoms; two other calves fell ill after another four and eight days respectively. The fourth calf was killed before the disease became clinically manifest. In all calves cerebrocortical necroses were found on histological examination. The clinical picture is described. It was similar to that in spontaneous C.C.N.In the calves exhibiting fully developed symptoms a moderate rise was observed in the pyruvate kinase and a heavy rise in the creatine Phosphokinase activity. On several occasions the total quantity of thiamine (free + phosphorylated) in the blood exceeded the upper normal limit without any extra supply of thiamine being given. Only on one occasion was a lowering observed, to a value just below the lower limit of normal variation.     

Effects of lasalocid on coccidial infection and growth in young dairy calves.

Effects of lasalocid on coccidial infection and on calf growth were examined in 16 Holstein bull calves. Calves were assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of starter ration containing 0 or 40 mg of lasalocid/kg of starter, beginning when calves were 3 days old (SE = 0.046), and single oral inoculation with 0 or 30,000 sporulated oocysts (Eimeria bovis) at 28 days. Pelleted calf starter was fed ad libitum from day 1; milk replacer was fed at a rate of 3.6 kg/d until day 28. Mean daily gain, dry-matter intake, and body weight were increased in calves fed lasalocid and decreased in those inoculated with coccidia. Addition of lasalocid to the feed improved gains by 8% in uninoculated calves and by 50% in inoculated calves. Fecal oocyst numbers were reduced when lasalocid was fed to inoculated calves. Feces were more abnormal in calves inoculated with coccidia. Respiration rates, rectal temperatures, PCV, and serum sodium and potassium concentrations were unaffected by treatment. On the basis of findings in this study, lasalocid minimized effects of coccidial challenge inoculation and increased growth of calves.     

Production practices, calf health and mortality on six white veal farms in Ontario.

A group of 4863 white veal calves reared on six commercial white veal farms in Ontario were followed through production to describe calf characteristics and production levels. Patterns of morbidity, mortality, and culling were investigated at the farm, room and individual level. The majority of the calves were male Holsteins, with approximately half originating from Ontario. The mean average daily gain for shipped calves over the entire production period was 1.1 kg/day (SE = 0.002). The overall percentage of calves receiving at least one individual treatment was 59%, with an average number of treatment days per calf of 3.3. The majority of calves receiving one or more treatment days were first treated between the fourth and seventh week of production. The mortality rate was 3.7%, and 5.1% of the calves were culled. Pneumonia was the largest single cause of death. Peak death and cull losses occurred during the seventh and eighth week of production.