Morbidity, mortality and body weight gain of surgically spayed, yearling Brahman heifers

McCosker, Kieren; Letchford, P; Petherick, J. Carol; Meyer, Donald L.; McGowan, Michael

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00646.x

Cited by 19 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Spayed Brahman (Bos indicus) 2 year-old heifers showed pain-related behaviours and higher cortisol for 6 h post-procedure, and body weights and gains were significantly lower in the spayed compared with control heifers at days 21 and 42, independently of the method used, indicating comparable levels of pain and stress (McCosker et al, 2010;Petherick et al, 2011).…”

Section: Spaying (Ovariectomy)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scientific Opinion on the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and the welfare in intensive calf farming systems

2012

EFSA Journal

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Information given in previous Opinions "Welfare of cattle kept for beef production" (SCAHAW, 2001) and "The risks of poor welfare in intensive calf farming systems" (EFSA, 2006) is updated and recent scientific evidence on the topics reviewed. Risks of poor welfare are identified using a structured analysis, and issues not identified in the SCAHAW (2001) beef Opinion, especially effects of housing and management on enteric and respiratory diseases are reviewed. The Opinion covers all systems of beef production, although the welfare of suckler cows or breeding bulls is not considered. The Chapter on beef cattle presents new evidence and recommendations in relation to heat and cold stress, mutilations and pain management, digestive disorders linked to high concentrate feeds and respiratory disorders linked to overstocking, inadequate ventilation, mixing of animals and failure of early diagnosis and treatment. Major welfare problems in cattle kept for beef production, as identified by risk assessment, were respiratory diseases linked to overstocking, inadequate ventilation, mixing of animals and failure of early diagnosis and treatment, digestive disorders linked to intensive concentrate feeding, lack of physically effective fibre in the diet, and behavioural disorders linked to inadequate floor space, and co-mingling in the feedlot. Major hazards for white veal calves were considered to be iron-deficiency anaemia, a direct consequence of dietary iron restriction, enteric diseases linked to high intakes of liquid feed and inadequate intake of physically effective fibre, discomfort and behavioural disorders linked to inadequate floors and floor space. © European Food Safety Authority, 2012 KEY WORDSBeef cattle welfare, welfare of calves in intensive farming systems, risk assessment, updates. SUMMARYFollowing a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a Scientific Opinion on the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and of calves in intensive farming systems.The European Commission is in the process of evaluating the European Union policy on animal welfare, taking account of socio-economic and trade issues. The overall aim is to improve the welfare of animals. To this end, the Commission requested EFSA to give an independent view on animalbased measures for the assessment of welfare in cattle, pigs and poultry. Before starting this work for beef cattle and calves, the Commission requested an update of scientific evidence relating to the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and calves in intensive farming systems; in particular, to consider the extent to which the conclusions and recommendations of two previous Scientific Opinions were still valid. These Opinions were the "Welfare of cattle kept for beef production" (SCAHAW, 2001) and "The risks of poor welfare in intensive calf farming systems" (EFSA, 2006).The SCAHAW (2001) Opinion "The Welfare of Cattle kept for Beef Production" differed from EFSA Opinions, in that it did not includ...

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Section: Spaying (Ovariectomy)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mortality was 1.5 % and 2.5 % for the WDOT and flank method, respectively. A total of 5 % of flank wounds had not healed after 42 days (McCosker et al, 2010). Another study reported that a few animals showed discomfort through mild stiffness and straining for the first 12 h and that some walked stiffly the next day (Habermehl, 1993).…”

Section: Castrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and the welfare in intensive calf farming systems

2012

EFSA Journal

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“…Few studies have looked at the animal health and productivity effects of surgical spaying, especially using the Willis dropped ovary technique (WDOT) since it has become commonly used. This paper assessed morbidity and mortality in yearling heifers spayed by two methods under commercial conditions in northern Australia 6 …”

Section: Production Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper assessed morbidity and mortality in yearling heifers spayed by two methods under commercial conditions in northern Australia. 6 In the first study, 600 Brahman heifers were randomly allocated to physical restraint and ear-tagging only (Control); physical restraint, ovariectomy ('spay' using WDOT, plus, ear-tagging and ear-marking (WDOT); or electroimmobilisation, flank spay, ear-tagging and earmarking (Flank). Heifers were observed for approximately 6 h after spaying, then twice daily until day 4 after spaying, then once daily on days 7, 10, 21 and 42.…”

Section: Surgical Spaying In Yearling Brahman Heifersmentioning

confidence: 99%

In this issue – December 2010

Jackson¹

2010

Aust Veterinary J

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“…Duration of mating is longest in the more extensively managed beef herds of northern Australia with continuous mating commonly practiced in these herds (Bortolussi et al 2005a) due to perceived difficulties in controlling bulls (McCosker et al 2010a). The resulting calving pattern is difficult to manage as calves are born throughout the year and those calves born late in the wet season are of insufficient weight to be weaned at musters conducted early in the year.…”

Section: Beef Cattle Management Practices Within Northern Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia

McCosker¹

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Approximately half of Australia's beef breeding herds are located in northern Australia with reproductive performance being identified as having a significant impact on the profitability of these businesses. Although many of the risk factors affecting the reproductive performance of beef cattle have been previously identified, the relative contribution of major risk factors to key measures of performance, after partitioning the effects of other confounding variables, is lacking, particularly for extensive tropical rangeland systems typical of northern Australia.The overall objective of the research described in this thesis was to, i) describe the reproductive performance of commercial beef breeding cattle in northern Australia and, ii) determine, and quantify the effect of the major risk factors associated with three key measures of reproductive performance (lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving, cows failing to become pregnant within an approximate 12 month reproductive cycle, and foetal/calf loss between confirmed pregnancy and weaning). It was hypothesised that the major risk factors determining the probability of lactating cows becoming pregnant within four months of calving are similar to those determining the probability of foetal/calf loss between confirmed pregnancy and weaning. To address these objectives, a prospective population-based epidemiological study was conducted between 2007 and 2011 involving 78 commercial beef properties located across northern Australia.Attainable and typical levels of reproductive performance for cow-age cohorts were described using a dataset containing 114,154 annual production cycles of performance data that represented approximately 78,000 heifers and cows managed in 142 breeding groups. Properties were assigned to one of four broad country types following a subjective assessment of the production potential of the grazing land and cross-referencing with pasture and vegetation descriptions reported by the herd owners/managers.The typical overall reproductive performance of cows in the Northern Forest (57 live calves at muster per 100 surviving mature cows), was considerably lower than that for the other country types (71-83 live calves at muster per 100 surviving mature cows). This was due to typically much lower percentage of cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving, higher foetal and calf loss and higher estimated mortality of pregnant cows in the Northern Forest compared to the other genotypes. These findings are consistent with the generally poorer quantity and quality of pasture, ii harsher environment and higher disease risk of cattle managed in the Northern Forest compared to the other country types.Country type and predicted calving period were top-order determinants of pregnancy within 4 months of calving while lactating. The effect of cow-age class cohort was dependent on country type with the expected occurrence of lactating cows pregnant within 4 months of calving estimated to be 23. 1-53.8, 38.1-61.6, 35.4-56.5 and 38.5...

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Morbidity, mortality and body weight gain of surgically spayed, yearling Brahman heifers

Abstract: In yearling heifers, WDOT spaying resulted in lower morbidity and short-term mortality compared with flank spaying. Both methods compromised the health and welfare of some animals for up to 4 days and body weight gains were reduced during the 6 weeks post spaying.

Cited by 19 publications

References 7 publications

Scientific Opinion on the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and the welfare in intensive calf farming systems

Scientific Opinion on the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and the welfare in intensive calf farming systems

In this issue – December 2010

Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia

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