Health & Welfare Archives - Page 2 of 5

How to get the best out of automatic calf feeders: Part 2

Following on from our previous article on automatic calf feeders, this part focuses on the calf management practices needed to get the most out of machine feeding. The Importance of Excellent Stockmanship It is more important than ever that the right person is dedicated to looking after the calves. A good stockperson will physically check […]

How prepared are your calves for grazing grass?

A calf that underperforms during its first grazing season is likely to fall short on key performance indicators. What can farmers do [...]

Is your calf housing fit for purpose?

Calf housing can be a new build, an older shed or an adapted building. While designs may differ in structure, the fundamentals should remain the same to support calf health and development. Rearers must provide the right environment from day one. Without it, calves will struggle to thrive. Floor space Floor space is often overlooked […]

Factors affecting IgG absorption in the baby calf aside from colostrum

Excellent colostrum management is key when it comes to providing the baby calf with its first source of immunity. But what else can impact the immune status of baby calves? A study conducted by Jones et al. (2004) found the apparent efficiency of IgG absorption ranged from less than 10% to greater than 25% in […]

Updates on calf passive immune status and colostrum management

Targets for serum IgG concentrations in calves at 24 hours old have been increased in an attempt to combat the high morbidity and mortality levels that still persist in rearing systems. It had been thought that achieving 10g/litre IgG in calf blood serum at 24 hours of age was adequate while less than 10 g/litre […]

Will your calving pen protect the newborn calf from disease?

The calving area is the newborn calf’s first connection with the outside world therefore minimising its risk of contact with pathogens before the immune system has been fortified with colostrum must be a priority. During the birthing process, the calf is exposed to an array of microbes, some of which are provided by the cow […]

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, […]

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.

Health & Welfare

How to get the best out of automatic calf feeders: Part 2

How prepared are your calves for grazing grass?

Is your calf housing fit for purpose?

Factors affecting IgG absorption in the baby calf aside from colostrum

Updates on calf passive immune status and colostrum management

Will your calving pen protect the newborn calf from disease?

Top tips for minimising risk of cold stress in calves

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