A survey of factors effecting mortality and incidence of disease among purchased calves

Abstract

A survey was conducted on 3200 purchased Friesian male calves to see if any easily measured parameters could provide an indication of possible problems in the subsequent rearing of the animalsThe survey was conducted at the Agricultural Institute farm at Grange in the period January 1976 to June 1982. The effects of serum immunoglobulin status, purchase weight, calf source and feeding system on calf mortality and incidence of disease were assessed. The following catagories were used in the analysis.1.Immunoglobulin status as indicated by the Zinc Sulphate Turbidity Test (ZST). Calves were categorised as “low” (less than 15 ZST units) or “high” (greater than 15 ZST units).2.Purchase weight: Calves were categorised as “light”(less than 40kg) or “heavy”(more than 40kg).3.Calf source: Calves were categorised as “farm” (purchased direct from farms) or “market“ (purchased in auction markets).4.Feeding systems: Calves were categorised as “bucket” (individually penned on straw and fed various quantities of milk replacer by bucket) or “ad libitum” (group penned on straw and fed their milk replacer allowance ad libitum by teat).