manageruser, Author at Calf Chat

Top tips for minimising risk of cold stress in calves

Young calves can rapidly lose heat and this puts them at high risk of cold stress in their first month. A calf’s thermoneutral zone from birth to four weeks of age is between 10°C and 25°C, illustrated in Chart 1, adapted from Davis and Drackley (1998) When temperatures go below the calf’s lower critical limit, […]

Careful collection of colostrum and transition milk is critical for calf health

Colostrum and transition milk (TM) should always be at the forefront of calf rearers' minds. We are very aware of the importance and value of first milking colostrum for transferring IgG into the calf’s blood.

The developing microbiome and calf health

The gut microbiome in calves is important for growth and health, and has a key role in nutrition, immune function, and gut barrier integrity.

Respiratory disease is the top cause of mortality in 1 to 5-month-old calves

Respiratory infections top the chart when it comes to postmortem diagnoses for calves aged one- to five months Respiratory infections more commonly known as pneumonia, made up over one-third of postmortem diagnoses.

Gastrointestinal disease is the top cause of mortality in neonatal calves

Calves are totally reliant on getting good quality and enough colostrum as soon as possible post birth. Gastrointestinal infections more commonly known as scour/diarrhoea made up almost one third of postmortem diagnoses in neonatal calves.

Get storm ready and protect your calves.

The first big storm of the autumn ‘Storm Ashley’ is predicted to hit the UK and Wales this Sunday with winds of up to 80mph and flooding risks. However, there are some things you can do now to help reduce stress on your calves during the stormy weather. Create a nesting area in pens Calves […]

Calves: How do you house yours?

Rearing of calves can come in many shapes and sizes and varies widely from farm to farm. It can often depend on several factors such as: • Labour• Resources• Feeding method• Space• Personal preference Regardless of choice, their accommodation must provide for the calf’s most basic needs if animal performance is to be maximised, and […]

The hidden values of providing calves with dry feed alongside milk or milk replacer during the pre-weaning period

Getting the balance right between milk and dry feed during the pre-weaning phase is vital to ensure you produce an animal that can grow and develop their rumen at the same time to avoid any post-weaning checks and ill-health later. Feeding large volumes of milk for too long during the pre-weaning phase can be detrimental […]

Milk Feeding Calves Once a Day Versus Twice a Day

Once a day milk feeding after 28 days of age is a very popular choice amongst many farmers across the world. But there are definitely a few things which must be adhered to so that the calves perform optimally.

Top tips for minimising risk of cold stress in calves

Careful collection of colostrum and transition milk is critical for calf health

The developing microbiome and calf health

Respiratory disease is the top cause of mortality in 1 to 5-month-old calves

Top Tips for colostrum- a video guide.

Gastrointestinal disease is the top cause of mortality in neonatal calves

Get storm ready and protect your calves.

Calves: How do you house yours?

The hidden values of providing calves with dry feed alongside milk or milk replacer during the pre-weaning period

Milk Feeding Calves Once a Day Versus Twice a Day