Improve animal health for young calves

Ambition

We want to increase the number of veal calves at our integration farms without traces of lung disease. Lung diseases can have a major negative impact on the health of the calves. Good animal health contributes to lower antibiotic use, better welfare of the calf, more work satisfaction for the farmer and eventually a better financial result.

Our goal is to increase the number of veal calves at our integration farms without traces of lung diseases. After assessing the current situation, we will set the target.

Actions

We support veal farmers with knowledge and advice on the good development and performance of the calves. Better management and feeding can help to improve animal welfare. This will help to reduce the occurrence of lung diseases.

Next to this, we want to gain insight into the number of veal calves without traces of lung disease, as this is a good indicator of overall animal health. In close collaboration with other parties in the veal chain, we will develop a project to act on improving the lung health of young veal calves. Together, we will execute an initial investigation into the current number of calves with lung problems. We will therefore contact slaughterhouses to support the measurements and train people to assess the lungs in the same (objective) way. If the current numbers are known, we will define the goal for increasing the number of veal calves without traces of lung disease in 2025. We will start this project in the Netherlands. If the goal and set-up are clear, we will implement this way of working in other Denkavit countries.