Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1ZA, Canada.
Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1ZA, Canada.
J Dairy Sci. 2020 Sep;103(9):8530-8534. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17860. Epub 2020 Jul 16.
Male dairy calves in North America are frequently marketed through live auctions. Calves have been observed in suboptimal condition both at auctions and upon arrival at calf-rearing facilities that supply the veal or dairy-beef industries. The objectives of this study were to describe the health of male dairy calves at a commercial auction in British Columbia, Canada, examine the relationships between calf price and condition, and use price data from other auctions to reflect more broadly on the variability in calf condition at auction markets. Price and breed were recorded for 1,624 male calves, and a sample of 355 calves was assessed using a standardized health exam and body weight estimation. Linear regression was used to assess which calf characteristics were associated with price. Prices for young dairy calves at auctions in 2 other provinces (Nova Scotia and Quebec) were compiled for comparison. Twenty percent of calves had at least one health abnormality; the most common was navel disease (12%), followed by ocular or nasal discharge (4%), a depressed (dull, unable, or unwilling to rise) attitude (2%), coughing (2%), and joint inflammation (1%). The mean (±SD) estimated body weight was 47 ± 8 kg with a range of 27 to 82 kg. Calves were sold for up to Can$370 (median Can$140), but 10.5% sold for Can$10 or less, and 2.8% were not sold at all. [The mean exchange rate over the course of this study (Oct. 2017 to Mar. 2018) was Can$1 = US$0.79.] Calves with a depressed attitude sold for lower prices than bright, alert calves. In addition, those with Brown Swiss or Jersey genetics sold for lower prices than those with Holstein genetics, and cross-bred calves with beef genetics sold for higher prices. During 2018, 62% of young dairy calves sold at the Nova Scotia auction and 18% of young Holstein calves sold in Quebec were classed as lower quality and sold for 23% and 40%, respectively, of the value of higher-quality calves. The results underline the need to develop solutions to reduce the risk of marketing calves in poor condition at auction markets.
北美地区的雄性奶牛犊通常通过现场拍卖进行销售。在拍卖现场和供应小牛肉或奶牛牛肉行业的奶牛养殖设施中，人们观察到小牛的状况不佳。本研究的目的是描述加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省一个商业拍卖会上雄性奶牛犊的健康状况，研究小牛价格与健康状况之间的关系，并利用其他拍卖会上的价格数据更广泛地反映拍卖市场上小牛健康状况的差异。记录了 1624 头雄性小牛的价格和品种，对 355 头小牛进行了标准化健康检查和体重估计的样本评估。线性回归用于评估哪些小牛特征与价格相关。还为比较汇编了在另外两个省（新斯科舍省和魁北克省）拍卖会上的年轻奶牛犊的价格。20%的小牛至少有一种健康异常；最常见的是脐病（12%），其次是眼部或鼻部分泌物（4%）、抑郁（迟钝、无法或不愿意站立）（2%）、咳嗽（2%）和关节炎症（1%）。平均（±SD）估计体重为 47 ± 8 公斤，范围为 27 至 82 公斤。小牛的售价高达 370 加元（中值 140 加元），但 10.5%的售价为 10 加元或更低，2.8%的小牛根本没有售出。[本研究期间（2017 年 10 月至 2018 年 3 月）的平均汇率为 1 加元=0.79 美元]。表现出抑郁状态的小牛的售价低于活泼、机敏的小牛。此外，具有瑞士褐牛或泽西牛遗传特性的小牛的售价低于具有荷斯坦牛遗传特性的小牛，而具有牛肉遗传特性的杂交小牛的售价则更高。2018 年，在新斯科舍省拍卖会上销售的 62%的年轻奶牛犊和在魁北克省销售的 18%的年轻荷斯坦奶牛犊被归类为质量较低，售价分别为高质量小牛的 23%和 40%。结果强调需要制定解决方案，以减少在拍卖市场上销售状况不佳的小牛的风险。
