Table 2.
Descriptive statistics of the 497 calves over the complete study period (average 154.5 days)
| Total ± SD (min.-max.) | Vaccinated ± SD (min.-max.) | Unvaccinated ± SD (min.-max.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| n | 497 | 247 | 250 |
| Average weight at weaning (kg) | 83.4 ± 12.0 (40.5–126) | 83.9 ± 12.6 (40.5–122) | 82.8 ± 11.3 (52.5–126) |
| Average weight at the end of the study (kg) | 233.7 ± 25.6 (126–310) | 233.4 ± 26.2 (146–310) | 233.9 ± 25.1 (126–302) |
| Daily gain, milk-feeding period (g/day) | 630.7 ± 176.6 ((− 40)-1160) | 641.7 ± 184.6 ((− 40)-1070) | 619.6 ± 168.1 (150–1160) |
| Daily gain, complete study period (g/day) | 1145.7 ± 136.9 (500–1520) | 1151.9 ± 137.9 (670–1520) | 1139.5 ± 135.9 (500–1460) |
| n (enrolled < 17 days of age) | 261 | 139 | 122 |
| Daily gain, (g/day) | 1119.7 ± 131.0 (670–1460) | 1109.3 ± 134.7 (670–1410) | 1131.5 ± 126.2 (780–1460) |
| n (enrolled ≥17 days of age) | 224 | 102 | 122 |
| Daily gain, (g/day) | 1176.0 ± 137.6 (500–1520) a | 1209.9 ± 120.3 (880–1520) | 1147.6 ± 145.0 (500–1460) |
| Clinical condition (2nd clin. exam) b | 2.7 ± 1.9 (0–9) | 2.7 ± 2 (0–8) | 2.8 ± 1.8 (0–9) |
| BRD-diagnosis (2nd clin. exam) b | 206 a | 91 | 115 |
| Antimicrobial treatments for | 443 | 233 | 210 |
| BRD | 226 | 120 | 106 |
| interdigital phlegmon | 100 | 55 | 45 |
| other inflammation | 41 | 21 | 20 |
| unknown fever | 76 | 37 | 39 |
| Oxytetracycline courses | 304 | 157 | 147 |
| Benzylpenicillin courses | 139 | 76 | 63 |
| Time to first medication (days) | 20.7 ± 18.6 (0–93) | 21.7 ± 19.2 (0–81) | 19.6 ± 17.9 (0–93) |
| Premature death | 12 | 6 | 6 |
SD standard deviation, BRD Bovine respiratory disease,
a = Variable significantly different between vaccination groups (p < 0.05), b = See the text for detailed description