The short lifespan of dairy cows not only raises ethical questions but is also the subject of economic debates. Determining the economically optimal productive lifespan (OPL) is a complex issue because a large share of cows is culled during the first 2 lactations. The objective of this study was to estimate the OPL, taking into account relevant influencing factors, such as milk loss risks, heifer costs, and breeding progress (BP). We developed a bioeconomic cow model for 2 production systems with different milk-yield levels (C_low = 6,194 kg/year, C_high = 9,338 kg/year) based on the net revenue approach.

The transition period for dairy cattle from drying off to calving and subsequent return to estrus is crucial to health and productivity. Body condition scoring is used to monitor loss of body tissue that arises from a negative nutrient balance during this period. Over-conditioned cows (BCS ≥3.5) or those with a BCS <2.0 are at greater risk of ill health and reduced fertility, manifest by an increased calving-to-pregnancy interval (CPI). A low BCS also increases the risk of lameness, which is associated with an extended CPI.

Good care practices and colostrum feeding of newborn calves are important for a calf's future health and growth. This study aimed to determine cow calving and calf care practices, focusing on factors affecting calf mortality within the first week (including stillbirth) and from 1 wk to 3 mo of age on dairy farms in Finland. Our research used an online survey designed based on the literature and management practices and distributed to dairy farms via farm information channels, social media, and direct communication with veterinarians.

Metabolic disorders in cows occur when physiological metabolic processes are disrupted, often due to nutritional imbalances. These disorders can significantly affect productivity, particularly in high-producing dairy breeds, such as Holsteins, especially during critical periods, including transition and early lactation. A key factor influencing nutritional efficiency is the rumen microbiome, which plays a vital role in fiber digestion, starch fermentation, and the production of VFA, as well as in microbial protein synthesis and vitamin synthesis.

This experiment evaluated the effects of feeding a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on the growth rates and metabolic responses of Angus × Holstein crossbred calves. After a 1-wk adaptation period, 80 calves were blocked by sex, initial BW (47 ± 5.1 kg, average ± SD), and age (15 ± 3.8 d, average ± SD) into the following treatments: (1) milk replacer (MR) with the addition of maltodextrin (CON; n = 40; 15 females and 25 males), or (2) MR with the addition of 1 g of a Bacillus-based DFM (BAC; n = 40; 16 females and 24 males) containing Bacillus paralicheniformis 809 and Bacillus subtilis 810 and 9 g of maltodextrin/head per day.

Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is a skin condition affecting dairy cows, manifesting between the udder halves or at the fore attachment of the udder to the abdominal wall. Although several studies have investigated UCD in recent years, its pathogenesis, relationship to other common dairy cattle diseases, and potential herd- and cow-level risk factors remain poorly understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate any association between cow-level factors and UCD. Five dairy herds in the United Kingdom with cases of UCD were observed at milking over 3 consecutive days.

The objective of this observational cohort study was to evaluate how passive immunity, measured by serum IgG at 24 to 36 h of life, and transition milk quality (assessed via IgG intake) was associated with mortality, treatment incidence, antimicrobial use and growth in dairy calves reared within a pasture-based block calving system. This study was conducted between February and June 2024 on a 550-cow spring calving herd in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, United Kingdom. A total of 251 female calves were included in the study which comprised 139 British Friesian dairy replacements, and 92 Wagyu, 19 Hereford, and 1 Simmental beef-on-dairy calf.

The first objective of this study was to quantify the utility of welfare and health indicators for preweaning dairy calves based on the opinion of bovine veterinarians. The second objective was to assess these indicators' inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. A total of 37 veterinarians interested in the health and welfare of preweaning calves were initially identified in a previous study. An email invitation to participate in the utility assessment through an online questionnaire was sent, and 24 of them agreed to participate.

Plants enriched with phytochemicals potentially improve nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) in dairy cows. We hypothesized that phytochemicals extracted from the leaves and stem of red sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L. Moench; RSLS) and its fractions could regulate rumen protozoa and nitrogen utilization. The Box-Behnken design was used to optimize ethanol concentrations (60%, 80%, and 100%), extraction time (2, 3, and 4 h), and extraction repetitions (2, 3, and 4 times) to maximize extraction yields, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) from RSLS, and then evaluate the antiprotozoal activities in vitro (n = 6).

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 probiotic yeast product (PRO) on the performance, health, and stress resilience of Holstein heifer calves in the presence and absence of chronic stress (CS). Chronic stress was simulated by inconsistency in the delivery of the calf milk replacer. A total of 80 Holstein heifer calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments at 5 d of age: calves that were not exposed to any CS and did not receive PRO (noCS-noPRO, n = 20), calves exposed to CS and not receiving PRO (CS-noPRO, n = 20), calves not exposed to any CS and that did receive PRO (noCS-PRO, n = 20), or calves that were exposed to CS and received PRO (CS-PRO, n = 20).

Disbudding is a common painful procedure in dairy calves. Farms vary in method (hot iron or paste), whether horn bud hair is shaved, or the quantity of paste applied, for example. Yet, little research compares the effects of differing paste applications. Our objective was to assess the effects of dose and shaving horn bud hair on caustic paste–disbudding outcomes including disturbance from rubbing, wound size, sensitivity, healing time, horn regrowth, and the need for removal with a second procedure.

Disbudding is a common painful procedure. Farms vary in method (cautery or paste), whether the horn bud hair is shaved, or the quantity of paste applied, for example. Yet, little research compares the long-term effects among these methods. Our objective was to describe wound healing, sensitivity, and horn regrowth following cautery and 2 methods of caustic paste disbudding. Female Holstein calves were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (n = 25/treatment): non-disbudded sham (control), 12.7-mm hot iron leaving the bud in (hot iron), 0.2 mL of paste on shaved horn buds (0.2 shaved), or 0.3 mL of paste on unshaved horn buds (0.3 unshaved).

In dairy cow-calf contact (CCC) systems, cows and calves stay together for a prolonged period, allowing for more suckling and strengthening of the maternal bond compared with the early separation of cow and calf in conventional dairy systems. Extended suckling in CCC systems is related to greater calf growth, although knowledge on consequences of extended suckling for body condition and metabolic and inflammatory variables of calves is limited. This study aimed to evaluate growth, backfat thickness, energy metabolism, and inflammatory status of calves with minimum 12 wk of CCC followed by gradual weaning and separation compared with calves separated from their dam 13.5 h after birth.

The objective of this study is to employ meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the relative effects of increased milk allowance through comparisons within studies on the growth, apparent digestibility, blood parameters, and production performance. A systematic review was conducted with literature searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using the keywords “milk level AND calf OR calves,” resulting in 2,722 studies. After screening and evaluation, 43 full-text articles met the PICO criteria (participants, intervention, comparison, outcome) and were included in the meta-analysis.

In Italy, ∼77% of milk is used for cheese production, with 55% allocated to certified Protected Designation of Origin/Protected Geographical Indication cheeses, making milk cheesemaking ability a crucial factor in the dairy industry. Milk coagulation properties (MCP)—rennet coagulation time (RCT), curd firmness after 30 min (a30), and curd firming time (k20)—are pivotal for assessing milk's suitability for cheesemaking. The present study established a genetic and genomic evaluation system for MCP traits in Italian Holstein cattle.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the short-term effects of fumarate and active dry yeast (ADY) on ruminal fermentation, methane (CH4) emissions, microbiota (composition and function), apparent total-tract digestibility, production performance, and blood metabolites in dairy goats using a 2 × 2 factorial design. Twenty-eight primiparous dairy goats were blocked and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) control; (2) fumarate supplied at 34 g/d; (3) ADY supplied at 1.5 g/d; and (4) fumarate and ADY supplied in combination.

Lactoferrin (LF), a bioactive glycoprotein derived from milk, has demonstrated cardioprotective potential. However, whether gut microbiota and their derived metabolites are associated with these cardioprotective effects remains to be elucidated. In this study, 24 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to control, doxorubicin (DOX), and LF+DOX groups (n = 8 each). Supplementation with LF alleviated DOX-induced myocardial injury, as evidenced by increased heart weight (0.16 ± 0.02 g), decreased serum cardiac troponin I (61.32 ± 17.85 ng/L), and partial normalization of electrocardiographic abnormalities.

The digital dermatitis index (DDI), a genetic index for digital dermatitis (DD) resistance has been previously associated with presence of DD in Holstein cows. The aim of this study was to further investigate this association in a population of Holstein heifers. Two cohorts of heifers from one farm were enrolled. For the first cohort, DD lesions from the hind feet were recorded with the animals standing, using at telescopic mirror once a month over a period of 3 mo. For the second cohort, DD lesions were recorded from the hind feet by picking them up in a foot-trimming chute once a month over a period of 4 to 6 mo.

Lameness has significant effects on the health, welfare, and productivity of dairy cows. Common challenges in farm environments, such as uneven lighting and occlusion, reduce the accuracy of keypoint detection, which in turn affects the precise extraction of motion features. Moreover, a single motion feature is often insufficient to comprehensively reflect lameness behavior. This study explores a lameness detection method for dairy cows based on the integration of keypoint-derived motion features.

This study aimed to determine the effects of a polyherbal mixture (PM) containing 42.3% lignans and 21.2% flavonoids on the performance, ruminal fermentation, and serum biomarkers in preweaning Holstein calves. Sixty-four neonatal calves (40.6 ± 4.3 kg BW; 48 females and 16 males) were allocated to a randomized complete block design stratified by birth weight, birth date, and sex. Starter feed was provided ad libitum from d 4 until weaning. Treatments included a control (no PM supplementation in milk) and milk combined with PM supplement at 10, 20, or 40 g/d.