Welfare assessment of Australian bobby calves using blood parameters
This project supported PhD scholar Natalie Roadnight to research the welfare of bobby calves after transport, fasting, handling and lairage, and to identify risk factors for poor calf welfare.
| Project start date: | 31 December 2016 |
| Project end date: | 29 June 2020 |
| Publication date: | 05 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | National |
Summary
Bobby calves are particularly vulnerable to poor welfare outcomes due to their low body fat reserves, immature immune systems, and their lack of herding behaviour, which makes them difficult to handle. This project supported PhD scholar Natalie Roadknight as part of MLA's Postgraduate Scholarship program to assess the welfare of bobby calves after transport, fasting, handling and lairage, and to identify risk factors for poor calf welfare. An additional aim was to evaluate the welfare of cows and calves in two prolonged cow-calf contact systems. Avoiding early separation of cows and calves has potential health, welfare, and social licence benefits.
The overall conclusions of this body of work were that minimising transport distances and improving colostral immunity are thus areas where the risk of poor bobby calf welfare can be reduced in the current system.
Objectives
This project sought to support a PhD scholar, Natalie Roadknight, in research to assess the welfare of bobby calves after transport, fasting, handling and lairage, and to identify risk factors for poor calf welfare. It also sought to evaluate the welfare of cows and calves in two prolonged cow-calf contact systems.
Key findings
The overall conclusions of this body of work were that transport distance had relatively minor effects on the blood parameters measured, but very long distances appeared to affect calves more per km travelled. Additionally, around a third of bobby calves had failure of passive transfer, which puts them at risk of infectious disease. Minimising transport distances and improving colostral immunity are thus areas where the risk of poor bobby calf welfare can be reduced in the current system. A smaller proportion of calves showed evidence of dehydration and anaemia, which could indicate sub-optimal health and welfare.
Benefits to industry
This research provided insight into risk factors for poor calf welfare in bobby calves, which could be reduced in the current system to improve the health and welfare of bobby calves.
Future research
Currently, Natalie is working in animal welfare policy at the Victorian Government, and studying for a Fellowship in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Angelica Pickup |
