A Cohort Study Risk Factor Analysis for Endemic Disease in Pre-Weaned Dairy Heifer Calves

Dairy heifer calves experience high levels of contagious disease during their preweaning period, which may result in poor welfare, reduced performance or mortality. We determined risk factors for a cohort study 492 heifers recruited from 11 commercial UK dairy farms. Every animal received weekly examination by veterinarian birth to nine weeks using the Wisconsin scoring system. Multivariable models were constructed hierarchical model with calf nested within farm. Outcome variables each included binary outcome (yes/no), duration and composite score (CDS) including both severity duration. Diarrhoea, bovine respiratory (BRD) umbilical recorded 48.2%, 45.9% 28.7% calves, respectively. A higher calving intensity week CDS diarrhoea, marginal benefit improved passive transfer (serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) measured at recruitment). The BRD was housing fixed groups, mean temperature month birth, increasing milk solids fed, IgG, plasma IGF-1 recruitment. Conversely, increased disease, whereas again protective. Although good BRD, it not significant diarrhoea emphasising need optimise other aspects management. Measuring first useful additional indicator risk.