Cattle | November 2025
Health of imported calves versus age on arrival Large numbers of veal calves are imported into the Netherlands every year. Since 2023, calves in Germany have only been able to leave the farm from the age of 28 days. As part of its animal health monitoring programme, GD investigated whether the health of imported veal calves differs from that of veal calves born in the Netherlands, and whether there is a relationship with the age of these calves upon arrival at the veal calf farm. Between 2020 and 2024, more than half of the veal calves raised in the Netherlands were Dutch, a third were German, and the rest were mainly from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia or Ireland. Imported calves can pose a different risk of introducing pathogens than Dutch calves because different pathogens may be prevalent in their countries of origin. Analyses of mortality rates, antibiotic use and pathological findings at necropsy revealed differences in the health of veal calves from various countries. Calves from Ireland that go to white veal farms perform better than calves born in the Netherlands; Irish calves have a lower risk of mortality and the use of antibiotics is lower. During the study period, German calves did less well than those born in the Netherlands in terms of mortality risk
and antibiotic use on white veal farms. The incidence of infectious lung diseases was also higher at autopsy in German calves. On average, German calves did not have a greater chance of mortality than Dutch calves on rosé veal farms. In Germany, it has been mandatory since 1 January 2023 to keep calves on the dairy farm for at least 28 days instead of at least 14 days before they can be removed. Since then, data has become available on how several batches of calves performed in the Netherlands that were older upon arrival at the veal farms. The results showed that German calves have had a lower risk of mortality at Dutch white or rosé veal farms in the first months after weaning since the minimum age for moving them was raised. Taken over the entire fattening period up to the time of slaughter, though, the mortality rates of German white and rosé veal calves were no better than those of Dutch calves. A further striking fact was that the use of antibiotics in German white veal herds has not fallen since 2023. For these reasons, the conclusion was that German veal calves have not performed significantly better since the increase in the minimum age for slaughter than they did before.
Animal health monitoring Royal GD has been responsible for animal health monitoring in the Netherlands since 2002, in close collaboration with the veterinary sectors, the business community, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, veterinarians and farmers. The information used for the surveillance programme is gathered in various ways, whereby the initiative comes in part from vets and farmers, and partly from Royal GD. This information is fully interpreted to achieve the objectives of the surveillance programme – rapid identification of health issues on the one hand and monitoring trends and developments on the other. Together, we team up for animal health, in the interests of animals, their owners and society at large.
Increased number of lungworm diagnoses and related enquiries In the past quarter, the Veekijker has been contacted more often about lungworm than in the same quarter last year. Pathological examinations also showed a higher incidence of lungworm diagnoses. The age of the animals was noteworthy: between 13 and 24 months,
whereas lungworm tends to be more common in younger animals, in their first grazing season. The infections were moreover severe to very severe, with numerous adult worms in the lungs and trachea. This is consistent with the trend seen in recent years: more problems caused by
lungworm (and more serious ones) in older animals and dairy cows. One possible explanation for the rise is last summer’s weather, which was favourable for lungworms to develop.
Figure 1. Lungworms on the tongue (left) and in the trachea (right)
Black manure after calving In recent months, the Veekijker has received various reports of black manure from cows, with no clear cause. Whereas there were just two reports in the second quarter, the number rose to ten in the third. The commonest cause of black manure is ulcers in the abomasum. Additionally, bleeding in the small intestine, jejunal haemorrhagic syndrome, pica (abnormal eating or licking behaviour) or administration of specific supplements or medication have been noted. Known risk factors for developing ulcers in the abomasum are inappropriate diet and stress (heat stress in particular). Just one or a few animals per farm were affected. In some cases, the black manure was temporary, but in others it led to mortality. The animals did not have fever, at most they had mildly elevated temperatures (< 39.5°C).
To gain a better understanding of these reports, two farm visits were conducted. In addition, one cow was sent in for necropsy: the pathologist’s diagnosis was haemorrhaging from an abomasal ulcer. Various issues that could pose a risk for developing such ulcers were identified at the farms visited, e.g. high ambient temperature at the time of the reports. This can lead to heat stress and potentially to abomasal ulcers in the animals. On top of that, the starch content in the feed during the dry period was high. Several risk factors at the two farms differed. At farm A, the dry period feed was fermenting noticeably. The less than optimum housing conditions at farm A may also have caused stress. At farm B, the dry matter content of the
dry period feed was so high that it was easy for the animals to be selective. Additionally, there was a significant difference between the feed used in the dry and lactating periods, which can make the transition between the two more difficult. No clear cause has been found for the reports of cows with black manure. However, it is possible that the stress caused by calving and high outside temperatures, combined with certain feeding and management factors, played a role in abomasal ulcers developing, leading to black manure in cows that had recently calved.
Nitrate poisoning At the end of July, the Veekijker received a report of three cattle that had died suddenly. The animals had been fed the night before and no signs of illness had been observed. In the morning, the animals were found dead. In consultation with the Veekijker, two of the animals were sent for necropsy. Elevated levels of nitrate and nitrite were detected in the
aqueous humour of the eye in both animals. When taken up from the rumen, nitrate is converted into nitrite. Nitrite binds to haemoglobin in the blood and forms methaemoglobin, which cannot transport oxygen. In severe cases, animals may die with symptoms of oxygen deficiency. The case history taken during the practitioners’ visit to
the farm showed that the concentrated feed may possibly have been contaminated with fertilizer when the silo was filled. The silo was emptied and there have been no further cases since. In addition to errors when mixing feed, high nitrate levels in drinking water, certain pasture plants and grazing under specific conditions can also lead to nitrate poisoning.
Health of cattle in the Netherlands, third quarter of 2025 VETERINARY DISEASES
SITUATION IN THE NETHERLANDS
Category (AHR)
Highlights, second quarter of 2025
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 of Animal Health Regulation (AHR) 2016/429 (category A disease) Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
Viral infection. The Netherlands is officially disease-free.
A, D, E
Infections never detected in the Netherlands. Outbreaks in France and Italy.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
Viral infection. The Netherlands has been officially diseasefree since 2001.
A, D, E
No infections detected In the Netherlands, no new outbreaks in Europe.
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 of Animal Health Regulation (AHR) 2016/429 (categories B to E) Bluetongue (BT)
Bluetongue serotype 3 outbreak in the Netherlands since September 2023 (see §3.2.1).
C, D, E
New infections are not suspected.
Bovine genital campylobacteriosis
Bacterium. The Netherlands has been disease-free since 2009. Monitoring of AI and embryo stations and of animals for export.
D, E
Campylobacter fetus spp. veneralis not detected.
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)
Viral infection. Control measures are compulsory for dairy farms but voluntary on beef cattle farms.
C, D, E
The status* of 91.8 per cent of dairy farms is ‘BVD-free’ or ‘BVD not suspected’. The status of 20.6 per cent of all non-dairy farms is favourable (BVD-free or BVD not suspected). * The BVD status as determined according to the GD programme.
Brucellosis (zoonosis, infection through animal contact or inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. The Netherlands has been officially diseasefree since 1999. Monitoring via antibody testing of blood samples from aborting cows.
B, D, E
No infections detected.
Enzootic bovine leukosis
Viral infection. The Netherlands has been officially diseasefree since 1999. Monitoring via antibody testing of bulk milk and blood samples from slaughtered cattle.
C, D, E
No infections detected.
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD)
D, E Viral infection. Detected since 2022 in cattle in Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal and France).
No infections detected.
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
Viral infection. Control measures are compulsory for dairy farms but voluntary on beef cattle farms.
The status of 84.2 per cent of dairy farms is ‘IBR-free’ or ‘IBR not suspected’.
C, D, E
The status of 21.8 per cent of all non-dairy farms was favourable (IBR-free or IBR not suspected). Anthrax (zoonosis, infection through contact with animals)
Bacterium. Not detected in the Netherlands since 1994. Monitoring through blood smears from fallen stock.
D, E
No infections detected.
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Table continuation
VETERINARY DISEASES
SITUATION IN THE NETHERLANDS
Category (AHR)
Highlights, second quarter of 2025
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 of Animal Health Regulation (AHR) 2016/429 (categories B to E) Paratuberculosis
Bacterium. In the Netherlands, the control programme is compulsory for dairy farms. 99 per cent take part.
E
The status of 83.5 per cent of dairy farms is A (‘not suspected’) in the PPN (Paratuberculosis Programme Netherlands) or 6 in the IPP (Intensive Paratuberculosis Programme).
Rabies (zoonosis, infection through bites or scratches)
Viral infection. The Netherlands has been officially diseasefree since 2012 (an illegally imported dog).
B, D, E
No infections detected.
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) (zoonosis, infection through animal contact or inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. The Netherlands has been officially diseasefree since 1999. Monitoring of slaughtered cattle.
B, D, E
No infections detected.
Trichomonas
Parasite. The Netherlands has been disease-free since 2009. Monitoring of AI and embryo stations and of animals for export.
C, D, E
Tritrichomonas foetus not detected.
Q fever (zoonosis, infection through dust or inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. From the first quarter of 2023 onwards, this is once again part of the aborter pathology protocol.
E
No infections detected in aborted cattle foetuses
Article 3a.1 Notification of zoonoses and disease symptoms, ‘Rules for Animal Husbandry’ from the Dutch Animals Act Leptospirosis (zoonosis, infection through animal contact or inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. Control measures are compulsory for dairy farms but voluntary on beef cattle farms.
-
The status of 98.4 per cent of dairy farms is ‘leptospirosis-free’. The status of 29.3 per cent of non-dairy farms is ‘leptospirosis-free’. Two new leptospirosis infections.
Listeriosis (zoonosis, infection through inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. Infections have occasionally been detected in cattle.
-
No infections detected in cattle or aborted foetuses presented for necropsy.
Salmonellosis (zoonosis, infection through animal contact or inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. Control measures are compulsory for dairy farms but voluntary on beef cattle farms.
-
The bulk milk results of 98.2 per cent of dairy farms are favourable (the nationwide Qlip programme).
Yersiniosis (zoonosis, infection through animal contact or inadequately prepared food)
Bacterium. Infections detected occasionally in cattle, mostly in aborted foetuses.
-
Two infections detected.
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Royal GD P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer The Netherlands
T. +31 (0)88 20 25 575 info@gdanimalhealth.com www.gdanimalhealth.com
Table continuation
VETERINARY DISEASES
SITUATION IN THE NETHERLANDS
Category (AHR)
Highlights, second quarter of 2025
Prion infection. The OIE status for the Netherlands is ‘negligible risk’. Monitoring has not revealed any further cases since 2010 (total from 1997 to 2009: 88 cases).
-
No infections detected.
Regulation (EC) no. 999/2001 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
Other infectious diseases in cattle Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)
Viral infection. There are occasional cases in the Netherlands of infection with type 2 ovine herpes virus.
-
No infections confirmed upon necropsy.
Liver fluke
Parasite. Liver flukes are endemic in the Netherlands, particularly in wetland areas.
-
Infections detected on nine farms and a single cluster determined.
Neosporosis
Parasite. In the Netherlands, this is an important infectious cause of abortion in cows.
-
No infections detected in aborted foetuses submitted for necropsy.
Tick-borne diseases
External parasite that can transmit infections. Ticks infected with Babesia divergens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Mycoplasma wenyonii can be found in the Netherlands.
-
Microscopic examination of blood smears is no longer possible; a PCR test is available for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Four infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum detected by PCR.
GD3499/01-26