Health & Welfare Archives

Abomasal Bloat in Calves: Prevention Starts with Management

Sarcina-associated bloat is a sudden, often fatal risk in young calves. Poor immunity, wet housing, inconsistent feeding, and hygiene lapses disrupt digestion, allowing gas to build rapidly. Prevention starts with colostrum, dry bedding, and consistent, controlled feeding and calf resilience.

Keeping Calves Dry: Why Bedding, Air, and Weather Matter More Than You Think

February and March 2026 has brought unusually wet weather across the UK and Ireland, pushing humidity levels in calf sheds to new highs. Wet air means wetter beds, damp boots, and moisture-laden equipment. With little natural drying from sun or wind, and poor airflow in closed sheds, the moisture builds up quickly, slowing evaporation and […]

Overheard at Dairy-Tech 2026

All the questions and answers from Dairy-Tech 2024, from weaning to how to prevent bullying behaviour amongst your calves.

Development of the Calf Gastrointestinal Tract: Rumen Growth, Epithelial Maturation, and Microbial Colonisation

Explore how the calf gut transforms from monogastric to ruminant, and why early starter feed, VFAs and microbiome colonisation are key to rumen growth, health and performance.

Lumpy Skin Disease

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a notifiable viral disease in cattle and water buffalo, spread mainly by biting insects. While it poses no risk to humans, LSD can cause severe economic losses through reduced milk production, trade restrictions, and cattle deaths. Learn about its symptoms, prevention, and control measures.

Don’t let flies compromise your youngstock health

Flies can cause serious stress, disease, and productivity loss in young calves during the summer months. This guide covers effective fly control for calves using hygiene, traps, and natural solutions like garlic supplementation to help protect your youngstock and maintain animal health.

Management Considerations for Bluetongue Movement Restrictions

Managing calves during Bluetongue movement restrictions requires strict hygiene, proper housing, and strong colostrum protocols. Learn how to protect your herd under movement restrictions.

Bluetongue: What to look out for in Calves

Bluetongue can be passed to the unborn fetus from an infected pregnant cow. Calves are typically born small and weak, blind or deformed. Death of calves can occur after a few days of birth. While the clinical signs are more severe in sheep, cattle can present signs of the disease. The main clinical signs of […]

Bluetongue: What you need to know

Bluetongue can be passed to the unborn fetus from an infected pregnant cow. Calves are typically born small and weak, blind or deformed. Death of calves can occur after a few days of birth. While the clinical signs are more severe in sheep, cattle can present signs of the disease. The main clinical signs of […]

Beef cross calves thrive on two step feeding regime

A two-step approach to calf milk replacer (CMR) feeding has helped a Leicestershire dairy farm cut calf deaths to under 2% and lower the incidence of scour. John Greaves and his family run a herd of 220 all-year-round calving Holstein Friesians at Lodge Farm. It is an 800-acre mixed dairy, beef and arable farm. They […]