Emma Cuttance

Citation

Thesis Title
Mortality and failure of passive transfer of immunity in New Zealand dairy calves

Read article at Massey Research Online:

This research aimed to firstly understand the mortality of dairy calves from birth up to various time points until their second mating. Second, was to understand how successful NZ calves were at ingesting sufficient high quality colostrum quickly enough to provide adequate immunity, reasons for failure and the effect it has up until the end of their second lactation. Mrs Cuttance discovered mortality within 24 hours of birth and up to weaning is comparable with data published from other dairying systems, despite the notable management differences, but after weaning mortality in NZ calves was lower. Thirty-three percent of calves did not receive adequate colostrum quickly enough which is largely suspected to be due to poor quality colostrum provided by the farmer. This effects how likely they are to get sick up to weaning and the odds of death from weaning until 12 months of age.

Supervisors
Professor Richard Laven
Dr Claire Phyn
Professor Kevin Stafford
Dr Linda Laven