Blood, Growth, and Other Characteristics of Special-Fed, Veal Calves in Private Cooperation Herds

¹ Department of Dairy and Animal Science, and Department of Veterinary Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802-3503

The objectives of this study were to determine the mean values for mortality, blood, and growth traits and the correlations among blood and growth traits on privately owned farms producing special-fed veal. Mortality percentages were available on 13 groups of special-fed veal calves (n = 1403) from four farms; growth and some blood traits were available on 9 groups from four farms (n = 975). Mean mortality percentages for periods 0 to 2, 2 to 7, and 7 to 16 wk, and over 16 wk were 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, and 3.1%, respectively. Means for average daily gain for 2 to 7 wk were 1.37 ± .008 kg and for 7 to 16 wk were 1.52 ± .001 kg. When calves arrived at the veal farm, total plasma protein averaged 6.2 ± .05 g/dl. Examination of total plasma protein upon arrival of calves indicated that 81% of the calves had received colostrum. The base level indicating colostral deficiency was <5.5 g/ dl of total plasma protein; 51% of the calves had total plasma protein >6.0 g/dl at arrival. Mean hemoglobin concentrations at arrival and at 2, 7, and 16 wk were 11.1 ± .15, 10.6 ± .18, 9.2 ± .14, and 7.8 ± .13 g/dl, respectively. Means for hemoglobin were generally higher than previously reported for special-fed veal calves reared in individual stalls. Hemoglobin and red blood cell counts were correlated positively with 16-wk average daily gain and body weight, and midtrial white blood cell counts were correlated negatively with average daily gain and body weight from 2 to 7 wk; there were no other significant relationships between blood traits and growth performance measures.

Key Words: hematology • calf rearing and growth • mortality rates • special-fed veal

Submitted on August 30, 1993
Accepted on March 23, 1994

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