The physical state and plasma biochemical profile of young calves on arrival at a slaughter plant

AIM: To determine the welfare of calves arriving at a slaughter plant by as sessing their physical state and plasma biochemical profile. METHODS: Calves (n=7,169) aged 4-10 days, were examined immediately after t hey were unloaded from trucks (n=20) and categorised on physical grounds as being in an 'unacceptable', 'marginal' or 'acceptable' state. 'Unacceptabl e' calves were lying down, unable to walk, extremely weak or seriously inju red. 'Marginal' calves had a wet umbilicus, were hollow sided, apparently i mmature, or weak and slow and unsteady on their feet. 'Acceptable' calves w ere strong, walked freely, round-sided, bright and alert and had a dry umbi licus. After unloading, 27 'unacceptable', 306 'marginal' and 289 'acceptab le' calves were weighed, examined clinically and a blood sample was taken f rom each. A second blood sample was taken from 118 of these calves, 12-15 h ours later. The packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of gluco se, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total plasma proteins (TPP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured. RESULTS: Only 27 of the 7,169 calves examined (0.4%) were categorised as be ing in an 'unacceptable' state on arrival and these were euthanased shortly after unloading. Generally, the plasma biochemical profiles of the 'accept able calves were similar to those of 'marginal' animals. However the glucos e concentration of 'marginal' calves was lower than that of 'acceptable' ca lves, suggesting that they had lower energy reserves. After 12-15 h in lair age, plasma glucose concentration decreased and the BHB concentration incre ased in both 'acceptable' and 'marginal' calves compared with concentration s measured on arrival. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of calves presented for slaughter in an 'unacce ptable' state was small (0.4%). However, >4% of calves were classified as ' marginal' and failed to meet all the requirements of the code of recommenda tions and minimum standards governing the welfare of young calves in New Ze aland. The categorisation of calves by a physical assessment was supported by results of plasma biochemistry As a result, plasma biochemical profiles are considered unnecessary for making decisions regarding the welfare statu s of calves arriving at a slaughter plant; an assessment of their physical state is sufficient.