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Easy-to-use digital devices to measure climate parameters that can also be used in calf barns have become available commercially in recent years. Data collected in a prospective cohort study in 43 Swiss veal calf operations were evaluated with regard to validity of measured climate parameters, potential associations of those with barn features, and relationships between values of climate parameters and barn characteristics, respectively, with indicators of calf health. Barn parameters, such as ventilation system, access to an outdoor pen and barn size, were recorded, and temperature, air humidity, ammonia and carbone dioxide concentrations were measured at five different locations in each barn during an average of six farm visits over a year. Furthermore, continuous measurements of temperature and humidity (over a period of 72 hours each) were performed once in summer and once in winter in each farm. Whether barn parameters and measured barn climate values are associated as significant risk factors with indicators of calf health (antimicrobial use, mortality and daily weight gain) was explored with statistical methods. Values outside the optimal range were observed for all parameters measured punctually during farm visits and in all seasons. Values of temperature and humidity outside the optimal range were observed more often by continuous than by punctual measurements. Relevant correlations were observed neither among the barn climate values measured punctually nor among measured barn climate values and number of calves, barn surface, bedded surface and barn volume. High maximal group size and presence of mechanic ventilation were positively associated with high antimicrobial use, and high maximal group size and high number of fattening groups were associated with mortality3%. Farms in lowland regions and high air volume per calf were positively associated with daily weight gain. None of the measured barn climate parameters was associated with the calf health indicators antimicrobial use, mortality and daily weight gain. Therefore, climate parameter measurements appear inadequate to predict calf health in veal fattening operations. The present results show that these (easily) measured parameters are difficult to interpret and should be considered critically.Benutzerfreundliche digitale Geräte zur Messung von Klimaparametern sind seit einiger Zeit erhältlich und können auch in Kälberställen eingesetzt werden. Um die Aussagekraft von gemessenen Klimawerten, deren Assoziationen mit gegebenen Stallparametern, sowie Zusammenhänge zwischen Klimamesswerten respektive Stallparametern und Kälbergesundheitsindikatoren zu prüfen, wurden Daten ausgewertet, welche im Rahmen einer prospektiven Kohortenstudie in 43 Schweizer Kälbermastbetrieben erhoben wurden. Neben einmaliger Erfassung von Stallparametern (z.B. Lüftungssystem, Zugang zu einem Auslauf, Stallfläche) wurden in jedem Betrieb während durchschnittlich sechs Betriebsbesuchen jeweils punktuelle Messungen von Temperatur, Luftfeuchtigkeit, Ammoniak- und Kohlendioxidkonzentration an fünf verschiedenen Orten in den Ställen durchgeführt. Pro Betrieb wurden ausserdem jeweils einmal im Sommer und Winter kontinuierliche Messungen (über 72 Stunden) von Temperatur und Luftfeuchtigkeit vorgenommen. Mit statistischen Modellen wurde überprüft, ob Stallparameter und Klimamesswerte als relevante Risikofaktoren mit Kälbergesundheitsindikatoren (Antibiotikaverbrauch, Mortalität und Tageszunahmen) assoziiert sind. Messwerte ausserhalb des Optimalbereichs wurden bei sämtlichen punktuell gemessenen Parametern und in jeder Saison festgestellt. Mittels kontinuierlicher Messungen wurden Temperatur- und Luftfeuchtigkeitsmesswerte ausserhalb des Optimalbereichs häufiger beobachtet als durch punktuelle Messungen. Relevante Korrelationen zwischen punktuell gemessenen Klimawerten, sowie zwischen Klimamesswerten und Anzahl aufgestallter Kälber, Gesamtfläche des Stalls, eingestreuter Fläche und Luftvolumen wurden nicht festgestellt. Die maximale Gruppengrösse und das Vorhandensein einer mechanischen Lüftung waren positiv mit dem Antibiotikaverbrauch assoziiert. Eine hohe maximale Gruppengrösse und eine hohe Anzahl Mastgruppen waren mit einer Mortalität über 3% assoziiert. Geographische Lage in der Talzone sowie das Luftvolumen pro Kalb waren positiv mit der Tageszunahme assoziiert. Keiner der punktuell gemessenen Klimaparameter zeigte Assoziationen mit den Kälbergesundheitsindikatoren Antibiotikaverbrauch, Mortalität und Tageszunahme. Sie erscheinen somit als ungeeignet, um Rückschlüsse auf die Mastkälbergesundheit abzuleiten. Unsere Resultate zeigen, dass insbesondere punktuell gemessene Klimaparameter schwierig zu interpretieren sind und kritisch beurteilt werden müssen.Des instruments de mesure digitaux faciles à l’emploi pour les paramètres climatiques, qui peuvent aussi être utilisés dans les étables, sont disponibles depuis quelque temps.Afin d’évaluer la validité des valeurs de paramètres du climat mesurées, d’éventuelles associations de ces mesures avec certaines caractéristiques des étables, et les relations des mesures de paramètres associés au climat, respectivement des spécificités des étables, avec des indicateurs de santé animale, des données récoltées dans le cadre d’une étude prospective dans 43 exploitations d’engraissement de veaux en Suisse ont été analysées. D’une part, différents paramètres des étables (tels que le système d’aération, l’accès à un enclos externe, la surface de l’étable) ont été répertoriés. D’autre part, des mesures ponctuelles de la température, de l’humidité de l’air et des concentrations d’ammoniac et de dioxide de carbone ont été effectuées à cinq endroits de chaque étable lors de visites d’exploitation (en moyenne six par ferme sur une durée d’une année). De plus, des mesures continues de la température et de l’humidité ont été conduites sur 72 heures, une fois en été et une fois en hiver, dans chaque exploitation. À l’aide de méthodes statistiques, on a évalué si les caractéristiques des étables et les valeurs de climat mesurées sont associées en tant que facteurs de risque significatifs avec les indicateurs de santé animale (usage d’antibiotiques, mortalité et gain de poids journalier). Lors des mesures ponctuelles, des valeurs en dehors des domaines optimaux ont été observées pour tous les paramètres mesurés et à chaque saison. Des valeurs en dehors des domaines optimaux pour la température et l’humidité ont été constatées plus souvent par les mesures continues que par les mesures ponctuelles. Aucune corrélation significatrice n’a été observée entre les valeurs des paramètres de climat mesurées ponctuellement ou entre les valeurs des paramètres du climat mesurées et le nombre de veaux présents dans l’étable, la surface totale de l’étable, la surface paillée ou le volume de l’étable. Les groupes comptant beaucoup de veaux et la présence d’une ventilation mécanique étaient associés positivement à un usage élevé d’antibiotiques. Les groupes comprenant beaucoup de veaux et la présence d’un grand nombre de groupes étaient associés avec un taux de mortalité supérieur à 3%. Les exploitations en zone de plaine et le volume d’air par veau étaient associés positivement avec le gain de poids journalier. Aucun des paramètres de climat mesurés ne montrait d’association avec les indicateurs de santé animale (usage des antibiotiques, mortalité et gain de poids journalier). Ils semblent donc être inadéquats pour évaluer la santé des veaux dans des exploitations d’engraissement. Nos résultats montrent que les mesures de paramètres du climat sont difficiles à interpréter et doivent être considérés de manière critique.Dispositivi digitali per la misurazione dei parametri climatici, di facile utilizzo anche nelle stalle, sono disponibili da qualche tempo. I dati raccolti in uno studio prospettico su 43 aziende di vitelli da ingrasso in Svizzera sono stati analizzati per valutare la validità dei valori climatici misurati, le possibili associazioni di queste misurazioni con alcune caratteristiche di stabulazione e le correlazioni delle misurazioni climatiche, con gli indicatori della salute dei vitelli. Da un lato, sono stati registrati vari parametri di stabulazione (come il sistema di ventilazione, l’accesso a un recinto esterno, la superficie della stalla). D’altra parte, le misurazioni a campione della temperatura, dell’umidità dell’aria, delle concentrazioni di ammoniaca e di anidride carbonica sono state prese in cinque punti di ogni stalla durante le visite all’azienda (in media sei per azienda su un periodo di un anno). Inoltre, le misurazioni continue di temperatura e umidità sono state condotte per 72 ore, una volta in estate e una volta in inverno, per ogni azienda. Utilizzando modelli statistici, è stato valutato se le caratteristiche di stabulazione e dei valori climatici misurati sono associati, come fattori di rischio significativi, con gli indicatori di salute degli animali (uso di antibiotici, mortalità e aumento di peso giornaliero). Durante le misurazioni puntuali, sono stati osservati valori al di fuori degli intervalli ottimali per tutti i parametri misurati e in ogni stagione. Le misurazioni continue sono state in grado di rilevare più sovente valori al di fuori dell’intervallo ottimale per la temperatura e l’umidità rispetto alle misurazioni puntuali. Nessuna correlazione significativa è stata osservata tra i valori dei parametri climatici misurati puntualmente o tra i valori dei parametri climatici e il numero di vitelli presenti nella stalla, la superficie totale della stalla, la superficie di paglia o il volume della stalla. I gruppi costituiti da gran numero di vitelli e la presenza di ventilazione meccanica erano positivamente associati a un maggior uso di antibiotici. I gruppi costituiti da molti vitelli e la presenza di un gran numero di gruppi erano associati a un tasso di mortalità superiore al 3%. Gli allevamenti in zone di pianura e il volume d’aria per vitello erano positivamente associati all’aumento di peso giornaliero. Nessuno dei parametri climatici misurati ha mostrato un’associazione con gli indicatori di salute dei vitelli: uso di antibiotici, mortalità e aumento di peso giornaliero. Questi sembrano pertanto essere inadeguati per valutare la salute dei vitelli negli allevamenti da ingrasso. I nostri risultati mostrano che le misurazioni dei parametri climatici sono difficili da interpretare e devono essere considerate in modo critico.

Supplementary information for Cooper et al. (2022), Wind waves in sea ice of the western Arctic and a global coupled wave-ice model, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A. doi: 10.1098/rsta.2021.0258

Periparturient hypocalcaemia is a widespread metabolic disorder in dairy cows. Clinical and subclinical cases occur primarily in multiparous (Multi) cows, but subclinical cases have also been reported in primiparous (Primi) cows. A preventive strategy was investigated by administering the physiologically active vitamin D3 metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25(OH)2D3) as a rumen bolus. The bolus contained tablets of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside extract from Solanum glaucophyllum (SGE), releasing SGE over several days. The aim was to study the effect of a bolus containing 0 (C) or 500 ��g (SGE) of 1,25(OH)2D3 on 1,25(OH)2D3 and mineral status in periparturient cows up to three weeks into lactation and on colostrum, milk and calves' blood mineral contents. The bolus was administered three to four days prior to expected calving to Primi and Multi cows fed a herbage-based diet (dietary cation-anion difference of +522 mEq/kg DM). One C or SGE bolus was applied to 12 Primi and 12 Multi cows. Blood was regularly sampled (and selected a posteriori for antepartum samples) in regard to the actual calving day (d0), immediately prior to bolus application and at day -2, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 22. Additional samples included urine (at bolus application, d0.5 and d2), colostrum, milk samples (weekly) and calves' blood (d2). Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3 increased between d0.5 and d2 in Primi-SGE, but remained unchanged in Primi-C, as did parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Ca in all Primi. Urinary Ca of Primi-SGE was increased on d2, indicating regulation of Ca excess. Three Multi-C cows with confirmed clinical hypocalcaemia needed treatment and thus were excluded from the dataset and replaced. Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH increased while Ca dropped by 40% between d0.5 and d2 in Multi-C, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and PTH remained unchanged in Multi-SGE. Blood serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen was higher in Primi than in Multi and increased with time, except in Primi-C. Mineral contents in colostrum, milk and blood serum of calves were not influenced to a relevant degree. In conclusion, Primi-C did not, in contrast to Multi-C, develop subclinical hypocalcaemia (

In dairy farms, calves are the animal group that carries the fecal flora with the highest prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Calves' age and antimicrobial exposure are major factors affecting AMR prevalence. The calves' housing environment is suspected to be a reservoir of resistant bacteria, acting as a source of colonization of the calves' gut and maintenance of AMR in farms. Aims To describe the prevalence of AMR and multidrug resistance (MDR) in Escherichia coli isolated from preweaned calves' housing environment in Swiss dairy farms To explore factors associated with AMR and MDR

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INTRODUCTION The evaluation of new animal husbandry concepts includes, beyond the exploration of chosen parameters, that the question is addressed whether economic benefits for producers and ethical benefits for society result of the new system when compared to traditional systems. In a previous study, a novel management and housing concept for veal production («outdoor veal calf», OVC) was tested from October 2016 to July 2018. The OVC concept was associated with distinctly lower antimicrobial use while average daily weight gain was similar and calf welfare better; furthermore mortality was lower compared to conventional label fattening. The aim of the present study was to compare economics between the OVC concept on intervention farms (IF) and the IP-SUISSE label concept on control farms (CF) by calculating contribution margins (CM). The CM indicates the difference between the performance of a production branch (e. g. slaughter return) and the allocable costs for this production branch (e. g. feed costs). In the present study, two different approaches were used for CM calculation to analyze the available data in detail. No substantial differences in CM between the OVC concept and the IP-SUISSE concept were found in either approach. However, the specific CM varied between the approaches as different calculation criteria for quantities and prices were applied (approach «real» with accurate costs and returns from the OVC study and approach «standardized» with costs and returns based on the CM catalogue). The CM varied slightly for the CM per man-hour (IF «real»: 6.96 CHF/man-hour, «standardized»: 4.49 CHF/man-hour; CF: 7.90 CHF/man-hour and 8.08 CHF/man-hour, respectively) and considerably for the CM per fattening space and year (IF «real»: -380.36 CHF, «standardized»: -559.50 CHF; CF: -244.70 CHF and -318.80 CHF, -respectively). Producing veal with the OVC concept -allowed for achieving comparable CM/man-hour as in conventional label production. Thus, the farmers' economic interests should be warranted when implementing the OVC concept.

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