Cattle Review: September–October 2020

The aim of a study undertaken by Becker et al (2020) (Preventive Veterinary Medicine doi. org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.104907) was to evaluate a novel concept for calf fattening aimed at reducing antimicrobial use without compromising animal health. The ‘outdoor veal calf’ concept, implemented in 19 intervention farms (IF), is based on three main measures: purchased calves are transported directly from neighbouring birth farms to the fattening facility without mixing in transit; each calf is vaccinated against pneumonia after arrival and completes a 3-week quarantine in an individual hutch; and the calves spend the rest of the fattening period in outdoor hutches in groups not exceeding 10 calves. A covered and bedded paddock and group hutches provide shelter from cold weather and direct sunshine while allowing constant access to fresh air. Nineteen conventional calf fattening operations of similar size served as controls (CF). Every farm was visited once a month for a 1-year period, and data regarding animal health, treatments, and production parameters were collected. Treatment intensity was assessed by use of the defined daily dose method (TIDDD in days per animal year), and calf mortality and daily weight gain were recorded in both farm groups. Mean TIDDD was 5.3-fold lower in IF compared with CF, mortality was 2.1-fold lower in IF than in CF and mean daily gain did not differ between groups. A drastic reduction in antimicrobial use and mortality was achieved in the novel ‘outdoor veal calf’ system without compromising animal health.