The Experts below are selected from a list of 177 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Giovanni Bittante - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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detailed macro and micromineral profile of milk effects of herd productivity parity and stage of lactation of cows of 6 dairy and dual purpose Breeds
Journal of Dairy Science, 2019Co-Authors: Gabriel Stocco, Alessio Cecchinato, A Summer, M Malacarne, Giovanni BittanteAbstract:ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to quantify the major sources of variation in the levels of 15 minerals in individual milk samples collected from cows raised in multibreed dairy herds. The herds (n = 27) were classified into 2 categories, according to milk productivity. Milk productivity was based on the net energy of lactating cows' average daily milk yield. Milk samples were collected from 240 cows of 6 different Breeds: 3 specialized dairy (Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Jersey) and 3 Dual-Purpose (Simmental, Rendena, and Alpine Grey). The samples were analyzed for macro-elements (Na, Mg, P, S, K, and Ca), essential micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se), and environmental micro-elements (B, Si, Sr, and Sn), using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model that included fixed effects of days in milk (DIM), parity, breed, and herd productivity, and a random effect of herd-date within productivity level. Results showed that the effect of herd-date varied across minerals. It was especially large for environmental minerals (ranging from 47 to 91% of total variance) and ranged from 11 to 61% for macrominerals and essential microminerals. Milk samples collected from farms with a high level of herd productivity had a richer mineral profile than samples from low-productivity herds. Parity only influenced macrominerals, with the exception of S and Ca, while DIM influenced almost all minerals, with a few exceptions among the environmental elements. Differences in mineral profile were small between specialized and Dual-Purpose Breeds, but they were large within the group of the specialized cows. These breed differences were reduced after adjusting for milk quality and yield, particularly in the case of milk Mg, S, Ca, Mn, and Zn levels. Milk samples from the Jersey and Brown Swiss cows had higher mineral levels (Sn excluded) than milk from the Holstein-Friesian cows; the other Breeds of Alpine origin produced milk of intermediate quality. Our findings suggest that breed has a stronger effect on macrominerals and some of the essential microminerals than herd productivity, parity, and DIM. The modification of the mineral profile in milk seems possible for many minerals, but it likely depends on genetics (e.g., breed, selection) and on environmental and management factors in variable proportions according to the mineral considered.
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Breed of cow and herd productivity affect milk nutrient recovery in curd, and cheese yield, efficiency and daily production
Animal, 2018Co-Authors: Gabriel Stocco, C. Cipolat-gotet, V. Gasparotto, Alessio Cecchinato, Giovanni BittanteAbstract:Little is known about cheese-making efficiency at the individual cow level, so our objective was to study the effects of herd productivity, individual herd within productivity class and breed of cow within herd by producing, then analyzing, 508 model cheeses from the milk of 508 cows of six different Breeds reared in 41 multi-breed herds classified into two productivity classes (high v. low). For each cow we obtained six milk composition traits; four milk nutrient (fat, protein, solids and energy) recovery traits (REC) in curd; three actual % cheese yield traits (%CY); two theoretical %CYs (fresh cheese and cheese solids) calculated from milk composition; two overall cheese-making efficiencies (% ratio of actual to theoretical %CYs); daily milk yield (dMY); and three actual daily cheese yield traits (dCY). The aforementioned phenotypes were analyzed using a mixed model which included the fixed effects of herd productivity, parity, days in milk (DIM) and breed; the random effects were the water bath, vat, herd and residual. Cows reared in high-productivity herds yielded more milk with higher nutrient contents and more cheese per day, had greater theoretical %CY, and lower cheese-making efficiency than low-productivity herds, but there were no differences between them in terms of REC traits. Individual herd within productivity class was an intermediate source of total variation in REC, %CY and efficiency traits (10.0% to 17.2%), and a major source of variation in milk yield and dCY traits (43.1% to 46.3%). Parity of cows was an important source of variation for productivity traits, whereas DIM affected almost all traits. Breed within herd greatly affected all traits. Holsteins produced more milk, but Brown Swiss cows produced milk with higher actual and theoretical %CYs and cheese-making efficiency, so that the two large-framed Breeds had the same dCY. Compared with the two large-framed Breeds, the small Jersey cows produced much less milk, but with greater actual and theoretical %CYs, similar efficiencies and a slightly lower dCY. Compared with the average of the specialized dairy Breeds, the three Dual-Purpose Breeds (Simmental and the local Rendena and Alpine Grey) had, on average, similar dMY, lower actual and theoretical %CY, similar fat and protein REC, and slightly greater cheese-making efficiency.
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Body traits, carcass characteristics and price of cull cows as affected by farm type, breed, age and calving to culling interval.
Animal, 2016Co-Authors: Luigi Gallo, Enrico Sturaro, Giovanni BittanteAbstract:Beef production from cull cows is an additional source of income for dairy farms and greatly contributes to red meat production, but the sources of variation of live animal characteristics and the carcass traits of cull cows have rarely been examined. This study investigated the effects of the farm type, breed, age at slaughter (AGE) and calving to culling interval (Calv_Cull) on the body traits and carcass characteristics of dairy and Dual-Purpose cull cows. Data from 555 cull cows from 182 herds belonging to five farm types, characterised by a combination of housing and feeding systems, were recorded and analysed. Dairy Breeds, such as Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss, and Dual-Purpose Breeds (Simmental, Rendena) were included in the trait assessments. The day before slaughter, the cows were weighed and scored for body condition (BCS) and fleshiness, and then, their heart girth and wither height were measured. At the slaughterhouse, the carcass weight (CW), dressing percentage (DP), carcass conformation and fatness scores, carcass price per kg and carcass total value were obtained. On average, the cows were slaughtered at nearly 71±27 months of age, 285±187 days after the last calving; 615±95 kg BW; and provided a 257±51 kg CW. Nearly 50% of the cows fell within the BCS range of 2.75 to 3.50, and the carcasses were mostly graded in the lowest class of conformation and fatness scores. Cull cows from free-stall farms had a higher DP, carcass conformation score and price than those from traditional tie-stall farms. The breed influenced the AGE, live animal characteristics and carcass traits. Cows from dairy Breeds were younger at slaughter, had a lower BCS and fleshiness, and greater body measurements, but a lower DP and carcass price than those from Dual-Purpose Breeds, although differences between the Breeds were found within both groups. The age of the cows at slaughter influenced the Calv_Cull and increased the BW, body measurements and CW, but not the fleshiness and fatness appreciation (both in vivo and postmortem ) or carcass price. The increasing Calv_Cull improved the BW, BCS, fleshiness, CW and carcass conformation and fatness. In conclusion, the decision to cull dairy cows should also take into account the factors that affect their carcass value in regards to improving the carcass price of cows.
Gabriel Stocco - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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detailed macro and micromineral profile of milk effects of herd productivity parity and stage of lactation of cows of 6 dairy and dual purpose Breeds
Journal of Dairy Science, 2019Co-Authors: Gabriel Stocco, Alessio Cecchinato, A Summer, M Malacarne, Giovanni BittanteAbstract:ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to quantify the major sources of variation in the levels of 15 minerals in individual milk samples collected from cows raised in multibreed dairy herds. The herds (n = 27) were classified into 2 categories, according to milk productivity. Milk productivity was based on the net energy of lactating cows' average daily milk yield. Milk samples were collected from 240 cows of 6 different Breeds: 3 specialized dairy (Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Jersey) and 3 Dual-Purpose (Simmental, Rendena, and Alpine Grey). The samples were analyzed for macro-elements (Na, Mg, P, S, K, and Ca), essential micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se), and environmental micro-elements (B, Si, Sr, and Sn), using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model that included fixed effects of days in milk (DIM), parity, breed, and herd productivity, and a random effect of herd-date within productivity level. Results showed that the effect of herd-date varied across minerals. It was especially large for environmental minerals (ranging from 47 to 91% of total variance) and ranged from 11 to 61% for macrominerals and essential microminerals. Milk samples collected from farms with a high level of herd productivity had a richer mineral profile than samples from low-productivity herds. Parity only influenced macrominerals, with the exception of S and Ca, while DIM influenced almost all minerals, with a few exceptions among the environmental elements. Differences in mineral profile were small between specialized and Dual-Purpose Breeds, but they were large within the group of the specialized cows. These breed differences were reduced after adjusting for milk quality and yield, particularly in the case of milk Mg, S, Ca, Mn, and Zn levels. Milk samples from the Jersey and Brown Swiss cows had higher mineral levels (Sn excluded) than milk from the Holstein-Friesian cows; the other Breeds of Alpine origin produced milk of intermediate quality. Our findings suggest that breed has a stronger effect on macrominerals and some of the essential microminerals than herd productivity, parity, and DIM. The modification of the mineral profile in milk seems possible for many minerals, but it likely depends on genetics (e.g., breed, selection) and on environmental and management factors in variable proportions according to the mineral considered.
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Breed of cow and herd productivity affect milk nutrient recovery in curd, and cheese yield, efficiency and daily production
Animal, 2018Co-Authors: Gabriel Stocco, C. Cipolat-gotet, V. Gasparotto, Alessio Cecchinato, Giovanni BittanteAbstract:Little is known about cheese-making efficiency at the individual cow level, so our objective was to study the effects of herd productivity, individual herd within productivity class and breed of cow within herd by producing, then analyzing, 508 model cheeses from the milk of 508 cows of six different Breeds reared in 41 multi-breed herds classified into two productivity classes (high v. low). For each cow we obtained six milk composition traits; four milk nutrient (fat, protein, solids and energy) recovery traits (REC) in curd; three actual % cheese yield traits (%CY); two theoretical %CYs (fresh cheese and cheese solids) calculated from milk composition; two overall cheese-making efficiencies (% ratio of actual to theoretical %CYs); daily milk yield (dMY); and three actual daily cheese yield traits (dCY). The aforementioned phenotypes were analyzed using a mixed model which included the fixed effects of herd productivity, parity, days in milk (DIM) and breed; the random effects were the water bath, vat, herd and residual. Cows reared in high-productivity herds yielded more milk with higher nutrient contents and more cheese per day, had greater theoretical %CY, and lower cheese-making efficiency than low-productivity herds, but there were no differences between them in terms of REC traits. Individual herd within productivity class was an intermediate source of total variation in REC, %CY and efficiency traits (10.0% to 17.2%), and a major source of variation in milk yield and dCY traits (43.1% to 46.3%). Parity of cows was an important source of variation for productivity traits, whereas DIM affected almost all traits. Breed within herd greatly affected all traits. Holsteins produced more milk, but Brown Swiss cows produced milk with higher actual and theoretical %CYs and cheese-making efficiency, so that the two large-framed Breeds had the same dCY. Compared with the two large-framed Breeds, the small Jersey cows produced much less milk, but with greater actual and theoretical %CYs, similar efficiencies and a slightly lower dCY. Compared with the average of the specialized dairy Breeds, the three Dual-Purpose Breeds (Simmental and the local Rendena and Alpine Grey) had, on average, similar dMY, lower actual and theoretical %CY, similar fat and protein REC, and slightly greater cheese-making efficiency.
Marta Brscic - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Growth, slaughter performance and feeding behaviour of young bulls belonging to three native cattle Breeds raised in the Alps
Livestock Science, 2020Co-Authors: Giulio Cozzi, Marta Brscic, B. Contiero, F. GottardoAbstract:The study aimed at assessing growth and slaughter performance, feeding and social behaviour of young male stocks belonging to three native cattle Breeds raised in the Central-Eastern Italian Alps: Alpine Grey (AG), Burlina (BU), and Rendena (RE) comparing them to the ones of Italian Simmental (IS), a cosmopolite dual purpose breed. Twelve male calves/breed were selected by experts of their breeders association and transferred to the experimental fattening unit at an average age of 113.9 +/- 12.4 days. After a 70-day adaptation period, calves of each breed were assigned to 3 multiple pens of 4 animals each balanced according to their body weight. The experimental fattening period started when the animals had an average live weight of 204 +/- 6 kg and it lasted when all young bulls reached the optimal finishing. The animals were fed ad libitum the same fattening diet distributed as total mixed ration once a day in the morning. The average daily gain of IS was 1.40 kg/day and it resulted significantly higher than AG and BU (1.16 and 1.20 kg/day respectively), while RE were intermediate (1.24 kg/day). Dry matter intake (DMI) of AG (6.34 kg/day) was lower than IS (7.45 kg/day), while the other two native alpine Breeds showed intermediate values (BU=7.12; RE=6.99 kg/day). However no breed effect was observed for feed conversion ratio as well as for the number of medical treatment days. On average, the young bulls spent 215 min/day eating and 405 min/day ruminating and there was no breed effect on these activities neither when they were expressed per hour nor per unit of DMI. Regardless of the breed, more than 70% of DMI was ingested during the first 8 h after diet delivery. Rumination was instead prolonged during the evening hours and overnight. Feed selection indexes did not show any significant difference among Breeds. Bulls of AG and RE reached the optimal finishing status at a younger age than BU and IS. Carcass weight of IS was the highest (336.2 kg) while the three native alpine dual purpose Breeds had similar values (AG=284.3; BU=290.9 and RE=300.9 kg). No breed effect was recorded for carcass dressing percentage, SEUROP and fatness scores, Based on these findings, the use of these native cattle Breeds in the Alpine area should be encouraged not only for cattle biodiversity issue but also for the interesting opportunity given by their dairy and beef production
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Do Dairy Farming Systems Differ in Antimicrobial Use
Animal, 2019Co-Authors: A. Zuliani, Marta Brscic, Isabella Lora, Andrea Rossi, Edi Piasentier, Flaviana Gottardo, Barbara Contiero, Stefano BovolentaAbstract:The quantitative assessment of antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals contributes to the provision of essential information for developing relevant and effective policies to reduce use and to control antimicrobial resistance. Information on AMU is available mainly for intensive dairy farming systems and specialized high-yielding Breeds. The aim of this study is to investigate AMU in different dairy farming systems by comparing the treatment incidence in mountain farms with specialized high-yield dairy Breeds or with Dual-Purpose Breeds raised for milk production to the treatment incidence in lowland farms with specialized high-yield dairy Breeds or with Dual-Purpose Breeds raised for milk production. Significant differences were found only between the overall treatment incidence, as well as the treatment incidence of highest-priority critically important antimicrobials for human medicine, in lowland farms with high-yielding Breeds and mountain farms with Dual-Purpose Breeds. Mountain farms have a generally lower milk production and smaller herd size than lowland farms, provide cows with access to pasture, and limit concentrates in the diet. These management practices and the use of local/Dual-Purpose Breeds could reduce the risk of production diseases and the consequent need for AMU.
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The use of corn silage in diets for beef cattle of different genotype
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2016Co-Authors: A. Mazzenga, Marta Brscic, Giulio CozziAbstract:The study was carried out in a sample of 406 commercial beef farms located in the Po Valley in which corn silage (CS) was included in the diet fed during the finishing period. Each farm was assigned to one class based on the cattle genotype and the results of this partition were the following: Charolaise (35%), Limousine (16%), French Crossbreds (35%) and Dual Purpose Breeds (14%). Corn silage represented more than 33% of total dry matter of the diets of Charolaise, French Crossbreds and Dual Purpose cattle while its inclusion was significantly lower in the Limousine class (29.0% of total dietary dry matter). The decision about the amount of CS to be included in the diet has shown to be independent from the silage quality which, however, resulted satisfactory for all classes of cattle genotypes. The analysis of the chemical composition of the diets showed similar results for the four classes and therefore diet formulation seemed not to aim at the fulfilment of the real nutritive requirements of all the animals and of the Dual Purpose class ones in particular.
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prevalence and potential influencing factors of non nutritive oral behaviors of veal calves on commercial farms
Journal of Dairy Science, 2014Co-Authors: H Leruste, Marta Brscic, Giulio Cozzi, B Kemp, M Wolthuisfillerup, B J Lensink, Eddie A.m. Bokkers, C.g. Van ReenenAbstract:Abstract Veal calves raised under intensive conditions may express non-nutritive oral behaviors. When expressed in an abnormal way, these behaviors can be a sign of mental suffering and reduced welfare due to a mismatch between environmental or management features and the animal's needs. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of non-nutritive oral behaviors in a large sample of veal farms in Europe and to determine the potential influencing factors present at farm level. Data were collected on 157 commercial veal farms in the 3 main veal-producing countries in Europe (the Netherlands, France, and Italy). Observations of 3 non-nutritive oral behaviors (manipulating substrates, tongue rolling, and manipulating a penmate) were performed when calves were aged 14wk, and the prevalence of these behaviors was calculated. Information on management practices and characteristics of the building and equipment were collected on all farms to assess potential influencing factors for each of the 3 behaviors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the effect of each individual factor within a generalized linear model. The mean percentage of calves per farm performing manipulating substrates was 11.0±0.46%, performing tongue rolling 2.8±0.18%, and manipulating a penmate 2.7±0.09%, with a high range between farms. Allowing more space for calves than the legal minimum requirement of 1.8 m 2 / calf and housing them in groups of >10 calves/pen reduced the incidences of manipulating substrates and tongue rolling. Incidence of manipulating substrates was lower for calves fed maize silage compared with calves fed cereal grain, pellets, or muesli. A higher risk of tongue rolling was found when baby-boxes (i.e., single housing during the first 5 to 8wk) were not used. Risk of calves manipulating a penmate was higher for calves of milk- or meat-type Breeds compared with Dual-Purpose Breeds and for calves fed with 280 to 380kg compared with those fed >380kg of milk powder in total for the fattening period. The study allowed assessment of multiple factors across farms that showed variety in terms of conditions and level of non-nutritive oral behaviors. Identification of the factors influencing non-nutritive oral behavior is helpful to define potential actions that could be taken on farms to improve the welfare of calves and reduce the prevalence of these behaviors.
Giulio Cozzi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Growth, slaughter performance and feeding behaviour of young bulls belonging to three native cattle Breeds raised in the Alps
Livestock Science, 2020Co-Authors: Giulio Cozzi, Marta Brscic, B. Contiero, F. GottardoAbstract:The study aimed at assessing growth and slaughter performance, feeding and social behaviour of young male stocks belonging to three native cattle Breeds raised in the Central-Eastern Italian Alps: Alpine Grey (AG), Burlina (BU), and Rendena (RE) comparing them to the ones of Italian Simmental (IS), a cosmopolite dual purpose breed. Twelve male calves/breed were selected by experts of their breeders association and transferred to the experimental fattening unit at an average age of 113.9 +/- 12.4 days. After a 70-day adaptation period, calves of each breed were assigned to 3 multiple pens of 4 animals each balanced according to their body weight. The experimental fattening period started when the animals had an average live weight of 204 +/- 6 kg and it lasted when all young bulls reached the optimal finishing. The animals were fed ad libitum the same fattening diet distributed as total mixed ration once a day in the morning. The average daily gain of IS was 1.40 kg/day and it resulted significantly higher than AG and BU (1.16 and 1.20 kg/day respectively), while RE were intermediate (1.24 kg/day). Dry matter intake (DMI) of AG (6.34 kg/day) was lower than IS (7.45 kg/day), while the other two native alpine Breeds showed intermediate values (BU=7.12; RE=6.99 kg/day). However no breed effect was observed for feed conversion ratio as well as for the number of medical treatment days. On average, the young bulls spent 215 min/day eating and 405 min/day ruminating and there was no breed effect on these activities neither when they were expressed per hour nor per unit of DMI. Regardless of the breed, more than 70% of DMI was ingested during the first 8 h after diet delivery. Rumination was instead prolonged during the evening hours and overnight. Feed selection indexes did not show any significant difference among Breeds. Bulls of AG and RE reached the optimal finishing status at a younger age than BU and IS. Carcass weight of IS was the highest (336.2 kg) while the three native alpine dual purpose Breeds had similar values (AG=284.3; BU=290.9 and RE=300.9 kg). No breed effect was recorded for carcass dressing percentage, SEUROP and fatness scores, Based on these findings, the use of these native cattle Breeds in the Alpine area should be encouraged not only for cattle biodiversity issue but also for the interesting opportunity given by their dairy and beef production
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The use of corn silage in diets for beef cattle of different genotype
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2016Co-Authors: A. Mazzenga, Marta Brscic, Giulio CozziAbstract:The study was carried out in a sample of 406 commercial beef farms located in the Po Valley in which corn silage (CS) was included in the diet fed during the finishing period. Each farm was assigned to one class based on the cattle genotype and the results of this partition were the following: Charolaise (35%), Limousine (16%), French Crossbreds (35%) and Dual Purpose Breeds (14%). Corn silage represented more than 33% of total dry matter of the diets of Charolaise, French Crossbreds and Dual Purpose cattle while its inclusion was significantly lower in the Limousine class (29.0% of total dietary dry matter). The decision about the amount of CS to be included in the diet has shown to be independent from the silage quality which, however, resulted satisfactory for all classes of cattle genotypes. The analysis of the chemical composition of the diets showed similar results for the four classes and therefore diet formulation seemed not to aim at the fulfilment of the real nutritive requirements of all the animals and of the Dual Purpose class ones in particular.
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prevalence and potential influencing factors of non nutritive oral behaviors of veal calves on commercial farms
Journal of Dairy Science, 2014Co-Authors: H Leruste, Marta Brscic, Giulio Cozzi, B Kemp, M Wolthuisfillerup, B J Lensink, Eddie A.m. Bokkers, C.g. Van ReenenAbstract:Abstract Veal calves raised under intensive conditions may express non-nutritive oral behaviors. When expressed in an abnormal way, these behaviors can be a sign of mental suffering and reduced welfare due to a mismatch between environmental or management features and the animal's needs. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of non-nutritive oral behaviors in a large sample of veal farms in Europe and to determine the potential influencing factors present at farm level. Data were collected on 157 commercial veal farms in the 3 main veal-producing countries in Europe (the Netherlands, France, and Italy). Observations of 3 non-nutritive oral behaviors (manipulating substrates, tongue rolling, and manipulating a penmate) were performed when calves were aged 14wk, and the prevalence of these behaviors was calculated. Information on management practices and characteristics of the building and equipment were collected on all farms to assess potential influencing factors for each of the 3 behaviors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the effect of each individual factor within a generalized linear model. The mean percentage of calves per farm performing manipulating substrates was 11.0±0.46%, performing tongue rolling 2.8±0.18%, and manipulating a penmate 2.7±0.09%, with a high range between farms. Allowing more space for calves than the legal minimum requirement of 1.8 m 2 / calf and housing them in groups of >10 calves/pen reduced the incidences of manipulating substrates and tongue rolling. Incidence of manipulating substrates was lower for calves fed maize silage compared with calves fed cereal grain, pellets, or muesli. A higher risk of tongue rolling was found when baby-boxes (i.e., single housing during the first 5 to 8wk) were not used. Risk of calves manipulating a penmate was higher for calves of milk- or meat-type Breeds compared with Dual-Purpose Breeds and for calves fed with 280 to 380kg compared with those fed >380kg of milk powder in total for the fattening period. The study allowed assessment of multiple factors across farms that showed variety in terms of conditions and level of non-nutritive oral behaviors. Identification of the factors influencing non-nutritive oral behavior is helpful to define potential actions that could be taken on farms to improve the welfare of calves and reduce the prevalence of these behaviors.
C.g. Van Reenen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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prevalence and potential influencing factors of non nutritive oral behaviors of veal calves on commercial farms
Journal of Dairy Science, 2014Co-Authors: H Leruste, Marta Brscic, Giulio Cozzi, B Kemp, M Wolthuisfillerup, B J Lensink, Eddie A.m. Bokkers, C.g. Van ReenenAbstract:Abstract Veal calves raised under intensive conditions may express non-nutritive oral behaviors. When expressed in an abnormal way, these behaviors can be a sign of mental suffering and reduced welfare due to a mismatch between environmental or management features and the animal's needs. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of non-nutritive oral behaviors in a large sample of veal farms in Europe and to determine the potential influencing factors present at farm level. Data were collected on 157 commercial veal farms in the 3 main veal-producing countries in Europe (the Netherlands, France, and Italy). Observations of 3 non-nutritive oral behaviors (manipulating substrates, tongue rolling, and manipulating a penmate) were performed when calves were aged 14wk, and the prevalence of these behaviors was calculated. Information on management practices and characteristics of the building and equipment were collected on all farms to assess potential influencing factors for each of the 3 behaviors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the effect of each individual factor within a generalized linear model. The mean percentage of calves per farm performing manipulating substrates was 11.0±0.46%, performing tongue rolling 2.8±0.18%, and manipulating a penmate 2.7±0.09%, with a high range between farms. Allowing more space for calves than the legal minimum requirement of 1.8 m 2 / calf and housing them in groups of >10 calves/pen reduced the incidences of manipulating substrates and tongue rolling. Incidence of manipulating substrates was lower for calves fed maize silage compared with calves fed cereal grain, pellets, or muesli. A higher risk of tongue rolling was found when baby-boxes (i.e., single housing during the first 5 to 8wk) were not used. Risk of calves manipulating a penmate was higher for calves of milk- or meat-type Breeds compared with Dual-Purpose Breeds and for calves fed with 280 to 380kg compared with those fed >380kg of milk powder in total for the fattening period. The study allowed assessment of multiple factors across farms that showed variety in terms of conditions and level of non-nutritive oral behaviors. Identification of the factors influencing non-nutritive oral behavior is helpful to define potential actions that could be taken on farms to improve the welfare of calves and reduce the prevalence of these behaviors.
