Calf Housing

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 […]
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Be properly prepared to prevent poor performance at calving

As spring approaches, so does the calving period on many farms. Putting in the effort now to plan for it, such as preparing all the essentials, will unquestionably make the job easier and more successful. As it is one of the busiest seasons for farmers therefore having a plan that works for everyone will minimise […]
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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 […]
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Pre-calving preparation

From July onwards, we will be getting into pre-calving season and now is the time to start preparing. We asked one of our dairy farmers who runs an autumn block calving herd consisting of 120 Holstein-Friesians (80/120 cows due September), how they prepare for calving [...]
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Preventing heat stress in calves will protect growth rates

Calves are increasingly vulnerable to heat stress as hot summers become more common in the UK. Still, there are steps rearers can take to mitigate the impact on their youngstock, such as including additives in calf milk replacers [...]
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Reducing the effects of weather stress in calves

Changes in weather conditions can have an effect on calf health and performance, it is common to see a rise in pneumonia and rotavirus cases after a sudden change in weather conditions.
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Housing for health-Shed Plan

In our housing webinar, we spoke about the importance of housing and things to consider when planning your shed including:AirflowElevationEase of access for cleaning See the plan for our featured shed here
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Housing for herd health

Dive into the comprehensive guide to dairy beef enterprise. Join Farmer Charles Goadby of D Goadby & Sons, Bonanza Calf Nutritionist Selina Field, and Tom Warren from Bonanza Calf Nutrition as they impart their extensive knowledge and experience. This webinar is a goldmine for farmers seeking practical solutions for calf nutrition, streamlined management, and ways to boost profitability in a dairy beef enterprise.
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Four essential ingredients for improving existing calf housing

Calves are often housed in less than adequate conditions with draughts, cold temperature stress and poor air quality. Calf rearers often get so accustomed to their own farm and situation that they can easily overlook issues that need addressing. However, existing housing can often be improved with just small changes and minimal workload. In this article we consider some of those improvements.
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Protect calf health from storms by adapting housing and rearing practices

Changes in weather can create the perfect storm for disease, even when rearers pay good attention to detail in their rearing practices. This article discusses how you can help protect calf health.
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