2026/03/17 by Elizabeth M. Schafer, Kate Creutzinger, Megan M. Woodrum Setser +5 · 1 voice
Veterinary · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Animal health and immunology #Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock #Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows
paper · doi:10.3168/jds.2025-28022
openalex publication_date 2026/03/17 · openalex created_date 2026/03/18 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In the United States, nonreplacement calves born on dairies are often sold in the first days of life and experience multiple transport events that increase their risk of disease as they enter the dairy-beef sector. The objectives of this cross-sectional cohort study were to evaluate the condition of dairy-beef calves on arrival at calf-raising farms in the Midwestern United States and to identify factors associated with poor health outcomes. From February 2024 to January 2025, 1,436 calves (∼3-7 d of age) were enrolled 6.4 ± 7.2 h after arrival at 20 dairy-beef calf-raising farms (n = 72 calves/farm) in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Standardized scoring systems were used to perform a clinical health assessment, and a blood sample was collected from each calf to measure serum total protein (STP) as an indicator of failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). On a subset of farms (n = 11) where immediate blood sampling was possible after arrival, blood biochemistry was further analyzed for a target of 30 calves/farm (n = 327). Variables were dichotomized using clinically relevant cut points. Given clustering within farms, 95% CI for prevalence estimates of poor health and blood biochemistry outcomes were calculated, with farm specified as the cluster variable. On arrival, 48.3% (95% CI: 45.7%-51.0%) of calves had diarrhea, 35.8% (33.3%-38.3%) had dehydration, 22.0% (19.9%-24.2%) had navel inflammation, and 18.7% (16.7%-20.8%) had depression. Seventy-seven percent (70.6%-83.4%) of calves had at least one poor health outcome, and 40.0% (33.9%-46.2%) had 2 or more. Blood biochemical analyses indicated 21.6% (19.4%-23.7%; cut-point STP <5.1 g/dL) of calves had FTPI, 48.3% (29.0%-67.6%; glucose <80 mg/dL) were hypoglycemic, and 27.6% (15.3%-39.8%; nonesterified fatty acids [NEFA] >0.72 mmol/L) had elevated serum NEFA. Calves sourced from calf dealers were more likely to have FTPI than those arriving directly from dairy farms. Calves with successful transfer of passive immunity had lower odds of experiencing diarrhea or hypoglycemia on arrival, and calves with a normal fecal score had lower odds of experiencing concurrent dehydration, depression, or hypoglycemia. These results suggest a high percentage of dairy-beef calves in the Midwestern United States arrive at calf-raising farms with FTPI, low energy reserves, and clinical disease that may impact long-term welfare and productivity.