Final Report: New Calf Housing System at Graianfryn to improve animal welfare and reduce the use of antibiotics

Key Results:

  • Average daily live weight gain (DLWG) for calves ranged from 0.60 kg/day to 0.83 kg/day, with some treatments potentially having a beneficial effect.
  • Optimised housing design and functional layout are expected to lead to improved welfare and quicker health checks, reducing labour time.
  • Improved drainage and ventilation contribute to better animal health and welfare.

Background:

This project at Graianfryn Farm aimed to enhance calf health and welfare through strategic interventions. The farm collaborated closely with the farm vet to identify and implement key changes. The focus was on addressing existing challenges in calf housing and management, ensuring a healthier environment for young stock. 

Purpose of the work:

The primary objectives of this project were:

  1. To optimise calf housing design, focusing on drainage, ventilation, and pen segregation to minimise disease transmission and improve environmental conditions.
  2. To improve calf housing through additional pen enrichment options.
  3. To integrate broader welfare strategies, including biosecurity protocols for purchasing calves and refined vaccination and nutritional programs.

What we did:

We redesigned the calf housing to incorporate optimised drainage for dry bedding and effective ventilation to prevent draughts while ensuring adequate air circulation. Two out of five calf pens included a straw bale bunker placed at the back of the pen so that it made feeding forage and bedding down a simple task and also providing an area for shelter and increased warmth for young calves. Four pens also included enrichment of either a suspended rubber ball or BiteStar from the roof.

The treatments applied to each pen were as follows:

  • Pen 1: Control
  • Pen 2: No straw bale + Bitestar
  • Pen 3: No straw bale + Ball
  • Pen 4: Straw bale + Bitestar
  • Pen 5: Straw bale + Ball

We also introduced segregated pens to prevent cross-contamination and improve the farm biosecurity protocols. Alongside these structural changes, we reviewed and enhanced biosecurity measures for newly purchased calves and refined existing vaccination and nutritional protocols to support overall calf health. Throughout the project, Smartbell ear tags, which measure calf movement and temperature, were used to collect data and monitor calf health.

Outcomes:

The project has delivered tangible improvements in calf health and overall welfare. Key outcomes include:

  • Housing design improvements:
    • Optimised drainage and effective ventilation have resulted in drier bedding and significantly reducing moisture-related issues. 400 calves have been through the new housing system to date with no severe cases of pneumonia or deaths encountered.
  • Functional layout:
    • The accessible pen design supports more efficient daily care routines, making feeding, watering, and cleaning tasks quicker and less labour-intensive.
  • Calf health and biosecurity:
    • Enhanced biosecurity measures are being rigorously applied when purchasing new calves, minimising the introduction of pathogens to the farm.
    • Vaccination and nutritional protocols have been reviewed and updated, providing a robust defence against common calf diseases and supporting optimal growth.
  • Calf growth rates (DLWG):
    • The average daily live weight gain (DLWG) for calves ranged from 0.60(±0.03) kg/day (Pen 2) to 0.83(±0.04) kg/day (Pen 5), as shown in Figure 1 below. While Pen 2 showed lower growth, other pens demonstrated DLWG within the expected range for beef calves. This suggests that some treatments may have a beneficial effect on growth, though further replication is needed for conclusive findings.

Figure 1: Average Daily Liveweight Gain within the five pens

  • Smartbell technology insights:
    • Observations from the ear tag temperature data indicated values that were sometimes lower or significantly higher than expected for core body temperature, with no symptoms of ill health. These variations may warrant further investigation into factors such as temperature sensor contact within the ear.
    • Analysis of Smartbell alerts in relation to illness treatment revealed varying patterns. For 7 out of 16 calves treated for illness, no alerts were recorded. However, on average, alerts were detected for 4 calves the day before treatment, and for 1 calf three days prior, which could potentially serve as an early indicator. Some alerts also occurred after treatment had been administered.

How to apply on your farm: 5 Steps to improve calf health

  1. Optimise housing design: Implement changes to improve shed drainage (e.g., sloped floors) and ventilation (e.g., adjustable vents, strategic fan placement). Consider creating segregated pens to prevent the spread of disease between different age groups or new arrivals.
  2. Streamline daily operations: Design your calf housing layout to ensure easy access for feeding, watering, and cleaning. This will not only save labour but also allow for quicker and more efficient health checks.
  3. Calf pen enrichment: Although this project cannot conclusively quantify the effects of environmental enrichment on calf performance, there is some evidence to suggest that with appropriate hygiene, they are a cheap way to promote calf welfare within housed environments.
  4. Strengthen biosecurity: Develop and rigorously follow a biosecurity plan for purchasing new calves. This includes isolating new arrivals, testing for common diseases, and implementing strict hygiene protocols to prevent the introduction of pathogens to your existing herd.
  5. Review health protocols: Work with your vet to review and update your vaccination policy and feeding regime to ensure growth targets are met and calf health is optimised.