Disbudding and dehorning practices for preweaned dairy calves by farmers in Wisconsin, USA

摘要

Many dairy farmers in North America disbud ordehorn their cattle to improve human and animalsafety. The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management(FARM v. 4.0) program requires that disbudding beperformed before 8 wk of age with pain-control medication.The objective of this observational cross-sectionalstudy was to quantify disbudding and dehorning practicesof Wisconsin dairy producers to target futureextension programming. Responses from 217 Wisconsindairy producers and calf raisers were collected viadigital surveys distributed at extension events andthrough industry contacts. Of the 217 respondents,188 performed on-farm disbudding themselves. Mostrespondents (61%) used caustic paste as their primarymethod, which was most commonly applied on the daythe calf was born (53%). Hot iron was used by 32% ofrespondents, and surgical methods (gouge, scoop, orwire saw) were used by 6% of respondents. Hot-irondisbudding was most commonly performed at 4 to 8wk of age (41%) and 1 to 4 wk of age (33%), whereassurgical methods were most commonly performed at8 wk or older (73%). Pain-control medication wasused by 43% of respondents. Specifically, 35% used ananti-inflammatory, and 21% used a local nerve block.Veterinary involvement in creating the disbuddingprotocol was associated with increased odds of usingpain control. Respondents with a target weaning ageof ≥10 wk had greater odds of complying with FARMdisbudding requirements and were also more likely touse polled genetics. Respondents aged 18 to 34 andrespondents with >60 calves were more likely to havemade changes to their disbudding or dehorning protocolin the last decade. Although use of pain controlwas higher than in previous US studies, full adoptionof pain management requires further extension efforts.Veterinarians appeared influential on adoption of paincontrol, and their involvement may encourage adoptionof pain management. Further research should investigatehow the implementation of new FARM v. 4.0standards will change the disbudding and dehorningpractices of American dairy producers.