Data from: Condition of calves on arrival at dairy-beef calf-raising farms in the Midwestern US

In the US, non-replacement calves born on dairies are often sold in the
first days of life and experience multiple transport events that increase
their risk of disease as they enter the dairy-beef sector. The objectives
of this cross-sectional cohort study were to evaluate the condition of
dairy-beef calves on arrival at calf-raising farms in the Midwestern US
and to identify factors associated with poor health outcomes. From
February 2024 to January 2025, 1,436 calves (approximately 3-7 d of age)
were enrolled 6.4 ± 7.2 h after arrival at 20 dairy-beef calf-raising
farms (n = 72 calves/farm) in IN, OH, WI, and IA. Standardized scoring
systems were used to perform a clinical health assessment, and a blood
sample was collected from each calf to measure serum total protein (STP)
as an indicator of failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). On a subset
of farms (n = 11) where immediate blood sampling was possible after
arrival, blood biochemistry was further analyzed for a target of 30
calves/farm (n = 327). Variables were dichotomized using clinically
relevant cut-points. Given clustering within farms, 95% CI for prevalence
estimates of poor health and blood biochemistry outcomes were calculated,
with farm specified as the cluster variable. On arrival, 48.3%
(95% CI: 45.7-51.0%) of calves had diarrhea, 35.8% (33.3-38.3%) had
dehydration, 22.0% (19.9-24.2%) had navel inflammation, and 18.7%
(16.7-20.8%) had depression. Seventy-seven percent (70.6-83.4%) of calves
had at least one poor health outcome, and 40.0% (33.9-46.2%) had two or
more. Blood biochemical analyses indicated 21.6% (19.4-23.7%; cut-point
STP < 5.1 g/dL) of calves had FTPI, 48.3% (29.0-67.6%; glucose
< 80 mg/dL) were hypoglycemic, and 27.6% (15.3-39.8%; NEFA >
0.72 mmol/L) had elevated serum NEFA. Calves sourced from calf dealers
were more likely to have FTPI than those arriving directly from dairy
farms. Calves with successful transfer of passive immunity had lower odds
of experiencing diarrhea or hypoglycemia on arrival, and calves with a
normal fecal score had lower odds of experiencing concurrent dehydration,
depression, or hypoglycemia. These results suggest a high percentage of
dairy-beef calves in the Midwestern US arrive at calf-raising farms with
FTPI, low energy reserves, and clinical disease that may impact long-term
welfare and productivity.