An assessment of two measuring devices for estimation of body weight in newborn beef and dairy calves

Authors

  • M. C. Windeyer Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
  • C. W. Palmer Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatoon, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
  • E. Homerosky Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
  • C. Murray Nutreco Canada Inc., Guelph, ON, NIG 4T2, Canada
  • E. A. Major Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
  • K. P. S. Kwong Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
  • J. Stookey Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatoon, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
  • J. Campbell Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatoon, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
  • K. E. Leslie Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20153575

Keywords:

weight, beef cattle, dairy cattle, veal, measuring devices

Abstract

Calf birth weight is an important factor that can impact cow and calf health as well as performance on beef, dairy, and veal operations. Methods of estimating weight on-farm without the use of a scale have been developed, the most common of which are measuring tapes that determine the circumference around either the fetlock or girth of a calf. Despite the potential utility of these devices, there is a paucity of peer-reviewed research that evaluates their accuracy. Furthermore, many of the previous studies have not used appropriate statistical methodology to assess the agreement between 2 continuous measures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement of commonly-used measuring devices with actual body weight of neonatal beef and dairy calves.

Cover image of the 48th Conference Proceedings: An image of Dr. Fred Gingrich II dressed in a red shirt and overalls and standing in front of dairy cows in a barn interior. Yellow background.

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Published

2015-09-17

Issue

2015

Section

Research Summaries 1

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