The livestock sector and the Innovation Table for beef cattle have investigated how to improve the health of male calves from the dairy industry after long-distance transport. In the initial studies, they assessed how colostrum intake at birth and feed restriction affect the health and welfare of calves after extended journeys.
They also studied the impact of colostrum and pre-transport feeding on digestion, focusing on intestinal permeability, microbiota, and inflammation, using both laboratory tests and in vivo animal trials.
The study results show that offering only rehydration solutions as feed before transport has negative effects on calves, harming their energy balance, body weight, gastrointestinal permeability, and their ability to recover feed intake and body weight after the journey.
Moreover, insufficient colostrum intake at birth reduced concentrate feed consumption during the first week on the farm. While replacing the rehydration solution with milk replacers did not completely prevent the effects of fasting on energy balance and intestinal permeability, it did help reduce weight loss and minimize the impact on the digestive system.
After confirming that a lack of colostrum and feed restriction before transport had negative effects, a third study was conducted to assess how nutritional supplementation could help. Different treatments with concentrate and/or acidified milk were tested, allowing calves to consume according to their needs.
The results showed that providing more nutrients and energy through concentrate or acidified milk before transport improved weight recovery and concentrate intake upon arrival. Additionally, the combination of concentrate and acidified milk helped improve the calves' intestinal health.
These studies have enabled the livestock sector to better understand the digestive system of calves that have undergone feed restriction and transport stress, as well as how they recover from these challenges. The Innovation Table has supported the search for feeding solutions to reduce health issues associated with transport and colostrum deprivation, helping calves recover more effectively. Biomarkers have been selected that could be used on farms to assess calf health upon arrival and determine the best care strategies.
Activity funded through Operation 01.02.01 for Technology Transfer under the Rural Development Programme of Catalonia 2014–2022
