Session: Animal Health II

67 - Association of Morbidity and Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity in Beef-dairy Crossbred Calves

Thursday, July 15, 2021

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM EST

Location: Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), L007/008

Presenting Author(s)

Jessica Pereira

PhD Student
Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Vicosa , MG - Brasil. Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center - University of California Davis, Tulare, CA - USA
Tulare, California

PDF Slides and Audio

Author(s)

MM

Marcos I. Marcondes

Assistant Professor
Department of Animal Sciences, Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99163, USA
Pullman, Washington
PC

Pedro H. Carvalho

Feedlot Management Extension Specialist
Department of Animal Science, University of California, Holtville, CA 92250, USA
Holtville, California
NS

Noelia Silva Del Rio

Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension
Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. School of Veterinary Medicine. University of California Davis, Tulare, CA, 93274, USA
Tulare, California
JB

João Bittar

Assistant Professor of Beef Cattle Extension
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32608, USA
Gainesville, Florida
FF

Fernanda C. Ferreira

Herd Health and Management Economics Specialist
Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. School of Veterinary Medicine. University of California Davis, Tulare, CA, 93274, USA
Tulare, California

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to describe the prevalence of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in beef-dairy crossbred calves, and its association with morbidity up to 30 d of life. A total of 393 one d old calves were enrolled upon arrival at a calf facility in Central Valley, California, from Jan-Mar 2021. Farm of origin, breed, sex, and weight were recorded at the day of arrival. Blood was collected at 24 ± 1 h post-arrival to evaluate total serum protein (TSP) and % Brix reading. Calves were classified as having FTPI if TSP < 5.2 g/dL, and brix < 8.2%. Farm personnel performed daily health evaluations and recorded diseases. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and survival analysis were conducted using SAS. Calves’ breeds were Angus × Holstein (AN × HO, 58%), Charolais × Jersey (CH × JE, 37%), and Angus × Jersey (AN × JE, 5%). Prevalence of FTPI was 36% (TSP) and 34% (brix). TSP and %Brix readings had a strong correlation (r = 0,99, P < 0.0001). Overall morbidity was 78% (70% had only diarrhea, 7% only respiratory disease and 23% both). The odds of disease up to 30 d was not associated with sex (female vs. male, OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.36-1.62), or breed (AN × HO vs. CH × JE, OR = 1.35, CI = 0.63-2.91; AN × JE not included in this analysis). FTPI was associated with greater odds of disease (OR = 2.91, CI = 1.19-7.09, P = 0.01). There was a tendency for association between FTPI and the hazard of disease up to 30 d (HR = 1.43, CI = 0.96-2.10, P = 0.07). Therefore, FTPI may predispose beef-dairy crossbred calves to diarrhea and respiratory disease up to 30 d of life.