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Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research logoLink to Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research
. 1994 Jul;58(3):189–195.

Production practices, calf health and mortality on six white veal farms in Ontario.

J M Sargeant 1, T E Blackwell 1, S W Martin 1, R R Tremblay 1
PMCID: PMC1263695  PMID: 7954121

Abstract

A group of 4863 white veal calves reared on six commercial white veal farms in Ontario were followed through production to describe calf characteristics and production levels. Patterns of morbidity, mortality, and culling were investigated at the farm, room and individual level. The majority of the calves were male Holsteins, with approximately half originating from Ontario. The mean average daily gain for shipped calves over the entire production period was 1.1 kg/day (SE = 0.002). The overall percentage of calves receiving at least one individual treatment was 59%, with an average number of treatment days per calf of 3.3. The majority of calves receiving one or more treatment days were first treated between the fourth and seventh week of production. The mortality rate was 3.7%, and 5.1% of the calves were culled. Pneumonia was the largest single cause of death. Peak death and cull losses occurred during the seventh and eighth week of production.

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Selected References

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