As a farmer, you already know what makes your business tick. You don’t need to know that optimizing the value of each animal is the key to a successful business. The value of a beef calves is inseparably linked to growth rates and weight. What farmers may not fully appreciate is that reaching target growth rates requires tip-top respiratory health.
Calves with lung damage don’t grow as well as they should. And the greater the lung damage, the greater the impact on daily calf weight. Pneumonia is one of the most common calf hood problems. And it’s estimated that 67% of cases affect calves younger than three months old. Those whose growth have been stunted by lung damage during the first few months of life, may never catch up. Respiratory illness means poor growth which means reduced value. There are a few important steps in protecting your them from respiratory illness.
Providing the calves with sufficient colostrum
It’s important that newborn calves receive sufficient colostrum which is packed with important antibodies. The newborns should receive at least 10% of their bodyweight within their first twelve hours of life, half of which (3 litres) should ideally be given within two hours of birth. Moreover,receiving sufficient colostrum is as important for ones that are bought as it is for home reared ones, arguably more so.
Vaccination against common viruses that cause pneumonia
The next step is to vaccinate against the common viruses that cause pneumonia in young calves. It’s perhaps one of the most important things you can do for their respiratory well-being. Other key measures include ensuring calf housing is well ventilated, with plenty of dry clean bedding. Keeping young calves away from older cows and making sure no more than 30 animals share the same airspace will further reduce the risks.
Taking the time to get the simple things right helps ensure you minimise disease risk, and protect the health of your calves. Best of all, it will have a tangible impact on the lifetime productivity of your animals.
