Association of antimicrobial usage with faecal abundance of aph(3’)-III, ermB, sul2 and tetW resistance genes in veal calves in three European countries

•Largest multi-country study on the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes in veal calves.•We found a significant positive association between trim/sulfa use and faecal sul2 concentrations.•Cleaning practices and the weight of calves at arrival were associated with resistance.