by Pete Erickson, Ph.D., Dipl. Am. Coll. Anim. Nutr., Extension Dairy Specialist
Many dairy producers utilize commercial calf growers to raise their calves. However, little data is available on the health and growth effects of transporting calves. Recently, at the 2024 American Society of Animal Science / Canadian Society of Animal Science Joint Annual Meeting an interesting presentation was given regarding this topic.
In several countries, there are minimum ages when calves can be moved. For example, Australia has a minimum age of 4 days, in New Zealand it is 5 days, and the European Union is expected to be changing theirs to 35 days. In the United States, however, there is no minimum age.
Researchers from the University of Idaho (Chibisa et al., 2024) evaluated the effects of transport at 2, 4, 8, and 14 days of age over the first 28 days of life. Their Summer study used 36 Holstein X Charolais calves which were transported 410 miles from a commercial farm to the University of Idaho farm.
Over the 28 days, feed intake was greater for calves moved when they were 14 days of age compared to those that were 2 or 4 days of age. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were also greater than the 2, 4, or 8-day-old calves. Over the two weeks after transport, calves 2, 4, or 8 days of age had a greater incidence of scours than 14-day-old calves.
Overall, waiting until calves are at least 14 days of age before transporting them will likely pay off from an overall health and performance perspective.
It is suggested that farmers wait for a couple of weeks before moving calves. This will allow the calves to adapt and “get their feet under them” before moving.
- Chibisa, G.E., D. Konetchy, M.Chahine, G.K. Murdoch, A. Amber-Progar, and L. Christensen. 2024.Growth performance, incidence of scours, and plasma metabolites in beef×dairy crossbred calves. J.Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1) Abstract.
- SGr / stock.adobe.com / 346283855
