A new study from Penn State University reveals that dairy-beef crossbred calves recover more quickly from pneumonia compared to their purebred counterparts, challenging previous assumptions about the long-term effects of disease on cattle growth. The research suggests that these hybrid calves not only bounce back faster from illness but also demonstrate similar growth rates to those that have never been infected.
The study, which is reportedly the first to investigate the long-term impacts of pneumonia on beef-on-dairy cattle, focused on 143 crossbred calves. These calves were observed at various stages of their growth: at birth, weaning, post-weaning (21 days), and at eight months of age. The study aimed to measure both their growth performance and the effects of lung pathogens caused by pneumonia.
Results showed that while pneumonia did temporarily slow growth in the infected calves, this setback lasted only about three weeks before the animals returned to their normal growth rates. Furthermore, the dairy-beef crossbred calves that were diagnosed with pneumonia exhibited compensatory growth, meaning their growth was able to catch up to that of calves that had never been infected.
The research also revealed that lung pathogens were not directly linked to reduced growth performance. By the time the calves reached eight months of age, the average daily growth was similar across all groups, regardless of whether they had experienced pneumonia.
Implications for Dairy Farmers
The study highlights another important finding: crossbred calves were able to recover without the need for antibiotics. This could potentially reduce the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in cattle, a concern that is particularly relevant to the organic dairy industry, where antibiotic use is more restricted.
Melissa Cantor, one of the study’s co-authors, emphasized the significance of these findings, particularly in relation to hybrid vigor. “Our study, which aimed to understand the impact of pneumonia on growth and the potential for self-healing in calves, found that beef-on-dairy crosses often recover from pneumonia without antibiotics, unlike purebred Holstein dairy calves,” said Cantor. “We believe this is partly due to hybrid vigor, where offspring show superior traits such as growth rate and productivity compared to their parents.”
The research, published in the Journal of Dairy Science, was conducted by Penn State’s Department of Animal Science. It is expected to offer valuable insights for dairy farmers, especially those considering crossbreeding as a means to improve herd resilience.
Economic Impact and Breeding Decisions
The study also addresses the economic considerations for dairy farmers. With rising costs in the dairy industry, especially the expense of raising purebred dairy replacements, many farmers have turned to beef-on-dairy hybrids as a way to reduce costs. However, the financial constraints faced by many farmers mean that decisions about which animals to keep must be made carefully.
Cantor noted, “The cost of raising purebred dairy replacements has increased significantly, and adding the beef-on-dairy hybrid sideline to their businesses has helped many farmers. However, they must be selective about which animals they keep to ensure it makes economic sense for their operations.”
In light of the findings, dairy farmers may now have a clearer understanding of the long-term benefits of crossbreeding, especially when considering the growth, recovery, and economic factors involved in herd management.
Conclusion
This study provides new evidence that dairy-beef crossbred calves offer considerable advantages in terms of disease recovery and growth potential. The findings could have lasting implications for breeding practices and economic strategies within the dairy industry, offering farmers a way to manage costs while maintaining strong herd health and performance.
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