Document type: article published in Viandes et Produits Carnés
Authors: Didier Bastien, Magdéléna Chanteperdrix, Virginie Lefoul, Christophe Martineau, Etienne Labussière, Manuel Tourtier
Preview: Veal calf welfare and rearing
Optimizing animal welfare and rearing conditions in veal calves.This article is a compilation of presentations on veal calves at the 74th European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) congress, held in Lyon from August 28 to September 1, 2023.
INTRODUCTION
In a context of declining production and consumption volumes, French veal production is facing new challenges in terms of changing farming methods. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the welfare and health of their animals. Furthermore, a review of European regulations on animal welfare has been announced, covering veal calf production. In this context, a number of studies have been carried out by the French Livestock Institute in collaboration with different partners, including INRAE, and with the support of the INTERBEV Veaux interprofession or the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. The aims of this study were to identify societal expectations, to acquire references on the impact of different housing and feeding methods on animals, to assess changes in the use of antibiotics in the sector and to develop tools for assessing biosecurity in livestock farming.
I. WELFARE OF VEAL CALVES
- Veal calf production: what are society's expectations in terms of housing and animal welfare?
- Impact of eliminating individual pens on veal calf behavior
- Impact of floor type and group size on veal calf behavior
- Veal calf housing in France: current situation and investment needs
- Promoting and supporting the transformation of French veal calf farms in response to societal expectations
II. VEAL CALF MANAGEMENT
- Effect of solid feed intake on feeding behavior and energy metabolism of growing calves
- SECURIVO: self-assessment tools for biosecurity on veal calf farms
- Trends in the use of antibiotics in the veal calf industry in France between 2013 and 2020
CONCLUSION
The two studies carried out on veal calf production in France, firstly on social expectations in terms of animal welfare, and secondly on the main characteristics of the rearing facilities used in France for this production, have enabled us to measure the gaps between expectations and the reality of production. Trials carried out on a different approach to housing calves (starting calves in group pens, fattening them on rubber floors or in large pens) revealed both positive and negative impacts on calf behaviour. While calves move around more when fattened in large groups, they develop more cross-sucking behavior when put in group housing at start-up. Trials carried out on calf ingestion of solid feed have shown that calf behaviour and nutrition can adapt to contrasted sources of dietary energy, as well as on the impact of different solid feed intakes on calf metabolism and behaviour. Finally, the implementation of biosecurity management tools on farms, combined with training campaigns, has led to a significant reduction in the use of antibiotics on veal calf farms in France.
