While we’re in the midst of drying off, I realise no one needs reminding that calving is not far away. So, I’d like to redirect your focus (briefly) to the other inevitable part of calving: calf housing.

Now’s a good time to cast your mind back to last year by answering:

• Did you have any calf health issues in the shed?
• Did your calves not grow as well as you’d have liked?
• Do you feel you could do better in:
  • • Colostrum management.
    • Meal feeding.
    • Shed layout e.g., calf space, bedding, draughts, and hygiene.
    • Making calf health decisions.
  • Are you making any changes to your calf rearing system this season?

  Bringing out the old adage “prevention is better than a cure”, by having a vet cast an eye over your facilities prior to the busy calving season and discussing your calf rearing system with you (or your calf rearer if this isn’t you) can help you make a plan towards improving overall calf care and health and hence the future productivity of these animals. Colostrum management plays a big role in this as well as health monitoring, flow in/out of the shed, hygiene protocols, and weaning practices – just to name a few.

  Every year we bring out our calf scour investigation toolbox, but we’d far rather prevent the use of it, so if you’re interested in a visit, please call your clinic.