Monitoring the Effects of a Bio-hygienization Treatment on the Growth Performance of Calves for Replacement Heifers

Interuniversity study (University of Guelph, Università degli Studi di Milano) conducted on a commercial dairy farm involving 19 calves, with SOP treatment applied to the calving pen and calf housing for 120 days: +14.04% daily weight gain in the treated group compared to control (P < 0.05 as reported in the contribution), using SOP STAR CALF.

Summary: Field study conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Ontario (Canada), comparing treated and control areas/pens. During the 120-day trial period (May 14, 2009 – September 14, 2009), the contribution reports improved growth performance in treated calves, with a +14.04% increase in daily weight gain compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

The neonatal and weaning phases of calves represent a critical period for future herd development: environmental conditions and hygiene of the calving and calf pens influence microbial exposure and stress, with potential effects on growth and group uniformity. Targeted bio-hygienization interventions in farm matrices can help create a more favorable environment for young animal development.

In this context, the contribution presented at the XXVI World Buiatrics Congress — a peer-reviewed congress with selection by a scientific committee — describes an interuniversity study conducted by Prof. Ken Leslie (University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Canada) in collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Milano, aimed at evaluating in field conditions the bio-hygienic effect of SOP® STAR CALF treatment.

The study was conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Ontario (Canada) with 19 calves, using a design comparing a treated group (SOP-treated areas/pens) and an untreated control group. Treatment was applied to the calving pen bedding and subsequently to the individual hutches and common calf pens, maintaining consistent allocation criteria. The trial lasted 120 days (May 14, 2009 – September 14, 2009).

The contribution reports that the treated group showed improved growth performance, with a +14.04% increase in daily weight gain compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05).

Overall, the study highlights that bio-hygienization interventions in calving and calf-rearing areas can be associated with measurable improvements in growth performance during the observed period, under real-world operational conditions.