Health and Growth Performance During the Pre-Weaning Phase of Angus × Holstein Crossbred and Holstein Calves Managed Under the Same Conditions

There are few studies on how dairy × beef crossbred calves perform during the pre-weaning phase compared to dairy calves. This observational study evaluated birth weight, average daily gain (ADG), and disease occurrence in Angus × Holstein (Ang × Hol) crossbred and Holstein calves reared under the same conditions on a commercial dairy farm. Retrospective data from 379 calves (290 Holstein females; 89 Ang × Hol crossbreds: 46 males, 43 females) born between January 2022 and August 2023 were analyzed. Variables included dam parity, calving type, birth weight, colostrum Brix levels, serum total protein (STP), mortality, disease occurrence, ADG, and weaning weight. Statistical analysis used linear and logistic regression models. Ang × Hol male calves had higher odds of assisted calving. Male and female Ang × Hol calves had greater birth weights than Holstein calves, with males being the heaviest. No differences in STP were observed. Ang × Hol calves (both sexes) showed higher ADG than Holsteins but did not differ from each other. Holstein calves had higher odds of diarrhea (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.63–5.35), while Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) incidence was similar across groups. Overall, Ang × Hol crossbred calves demonstrated superior growth and lower diarrhea risk under the same management conditions.