Bando-PNRR DM630
Improving the healt of italian veal calves by studying risk factors on arrival,disease detection during rearing, and non-antimicrobial therapeutic options.
In Europe, veal calves experience mortality rates as high as 8% during the production cycle.
Alongside mortality, the incidence of disease (morbidity) is also extremely high.
Previous studies have shown that up to 25% of calves develop one or more diseases between their arrival and slaughter, despite often receiving blanket antimicrobial treatments upon arrival.
This heavy reliance on antimicrobials significantly contributes to the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Given the current levels of disease, death, and antimicrobial use, the veal industry must address these issues and identify strategies to improve animal health and welfare, thereby enhancing the
sustainability of veal farming.
In Italy, where veal production meets 70-80% of national demand, the industry faces a pressing need for more knowledge about risk factors at the point of arrival and health issues that emerge during rearing.
Additionally, alternative therapeutic options to antimicrobial treatments are needed.
These concerns are particularly urgent given the public’s growing interest in reducing antimicrobial use and improving animal welfare.
To tackle these challenges, the veal industry must develop strategies to identify low-risk calves and improve diagnostic and therapeutic practices throughout the rearing period.
This PhD project aims to:
1. Identify biomarkers and/or clinical data measured upon arrival that are associated with morbidity and mortality in veal calves reared in Italy.
2. Investigate the relationship between lung consolidation episodes and factors such as growth, mortality, and morbidity, and describe how lung consolidation evolves following treatment during routine farm monitoring.
3. Determine whether feeding calves a commercial colostrum replacer containing 150 g of IgG during the first 14 days atier arrival, compared to a standard milk replacer diet, can reduce disease onset and improve growth performance.
Master’s degree in veterinary medicine at the University of Milan – July 2024
Master thesis on the Correlation between Emergency Slaughter, Animal Welfare Parameters, and Defined Daily Dose (DDD) in Dairy Cattle Farming in Lodi (2022-2023).
Undergraduate and postgraduate fellowship period at the Ruminant and Swine Clinic of the University of Milan (UNIMI).
Deep interest in bovine internal medicine, animal welfare and public health.
Publications: Orcid
Supervisor Prof. Davide Pravettoni
Co-supervisor Dr. Antonio Boccardo
