Iron Status, Erythropoiesis, Meat Colour, Health Status and Growth Performance of Veal Calves Held on and Fed Straw

Abstract

Summary Two experiments were designed to study the iron (Fe) status in veal calves (62 intact males) fed and held on straw. In experiment 1, two groups were fed 20 mg Fe/kg milk replacer (MR) and held unattached on rye or barley straw litter. In experiment 2, groups were fed 20 mg Fe/kg MR and held unattached on rye straw litter or on sawdust or attached on wooden slatted floors without straw litter or were fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR and held unattached on sawdust. Fe concentrations in tested straw sorts (rye, barley, wheat, triticale) were similar and ranged from 15 to 85 mg Fe/kg dry matter. Growth performance and health status were not significantly influenced by Fe intake through MR or straw. Straw intake in the group fed straw was greater (P < 0.01) at the end than at the start of the growth period, but intake of different straw sorts was similar. Calves fed 20, but not those fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR, developed marked hypoferraemia, but only moderate anaemia. Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was significantly (P < 0.05) and transferrin (Tf) concentration was numerically higher in calves fed 20 than in those fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR on slaughter day. TIBC and Tf were positively correlated (r = 0.63). Haemin concentration and lightness of m. rectus abdominis were significantly (P < 0.01), whereas myoglobin concentration was numerically greater in calves fed 50 than in those fed 20 mg Fe/kg MR. In conclusion, haematological and blood chemical parameters and meat colour were influenced only by high Fe intake through MR, but not if calves were held on straw litter or were fed straw.

Blood Serum Transferrin Concentration in Cattle in Various Physiological States, in Veal Calves Fed Different Amounts of Iron, and in Cattle Affected by Infectious and Non‐Infectious Diseases

“…Calves were fed 20 mg Fe/kg milk replacer (MR), held unattached on rye or barley straw litter or on sawdust or attached without straw litter and fed straw, or they were fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR and held on sawdust. No one of these groups developed significant anaemia (MOSER et al, 1994). In an additional experiment with calves fed only 10 mg Fe/kg MR, calves developed severe Fe deficiency anemia (CEPPI and BLUM, 1992).…”

Meat color and iridescence: Origin, analysis, and approaches to modulation

“…should be as light-colored as possible, although there is no correlation between light-color and the quality of the meat (Denoyelle & Berny, 1999;Moser et al, 1994;Wagner, 2006).…”

“…In comparison, pork meets consumer expectations when it is light in color, but not pale, and has a pinkish‐pink color cast (Eagerman, 1978; Millar et al., 1995). Veal should be as light‐colored as possible, although there is no correlation between light‐color and the quality of the meat (Denoyelle & Berny, 1999; Moser et al., 1994; Wagner, 2006). In poultry, the myoglobin content was affected by the type of poultry and the body portion, being higher in the thigh than in the breast (0.99 and 0.47 mg/g meat, respectively).…”

Insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, glucosuria, and galactosuria in intensively milk-fed calves: dependency on age and effects of high lactose intake.

“…The health status of each animal was recorded twice weekly (on Tuesday and Friday). Behavior, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulmonary sounds, coughing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, fecal consistency, and appetite were scored and the health index calculated from the sum of these scores (Moser et al, 1994). All animals with fever (> 39.5°C ) were treated with antibiotics and supporting medications.…”

“…Concentrations of components and GE in milk replacer were measured as previously described (Moser et al, 1994).…”