BLOOD, GROWTH, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIAL-FED VEAL CALVES IN PRIVATE COOPERATOR HERDS

The objectives of this study were to determine the mean values for mor tality, blood, and growth traits and the correlations among blood and growth traits on privately owned farms producing special-fed veal. Mor tality percentages were available on 13 groups of special-fed veal cal ves (n = 1403) from four farms; growth and some blood traits were avai lable on 9 groups from four farms (n = 975). Mean mortality percentage s for periods 0 to 2, 2 to 7, and 7 to 16 wk, and over 16 wk were 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, and 3.1%, respectively. Means for average daily gain for 2 to 7 wk were 1.37 +/- .008 kg and for 7 to 16 wk were 1.52 +/- .001 kg . When calves arrived at the veal farm, total plasma protein averaged 6.2 +/- .05 g/dl. Examination of total plasma protein upon arrival of calves indicated that 81% of the calves had received colostrum. The ba se level indicating colostral deficiency was <5.5 g/dl of total plasma protein; 51% of the calves had total plasma protein >6.0 g/dl at arri val. Mean hemoglobin concentrations at arrival and at 2, 7, and 16 wk were 11.1 +/- .15, 10.6 +/- .18, 9.2 +/- .14, and 7.8 +/- .13 g/dl, re spectively. Means for hemoglobin were generally higher than previously reported for special-fed veal calves reared in individual stalls. Hem oglobin and red blood cell counts were correlated positively with 16-w k average daily gain and body weight, and midtrial white blood cell co unts were correlated negatively with average daily gain and body weigh t from 2 to 7 wk; there were no other significant relationships betwee n blood traits and growth performance measures.