Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most common causes of calf scour. Calves are usually affected shortly after birth and develop scour at around 5-7 days. Infected calves suffer permanent damage to the intestinal lining which reduces their ability to absorb nutrients and water. It can affect growth rates and push back the age at first calving.
Whether it is beef or dairy it is important to grow calves efficiently to meet slaughter weights sooner. Standard target weights of pre-weaning weights are greater than >0.7kg/day and post-weaning DLWG of >0.8kg/day - >1.0kg/day for dairy or beef respectively.
Pretty much all farmers have heard of calf jackets, they have gained popularity in recent years as a way to control cold stress but do we know how to use them correctly?
Let’s take humans for example, when the temperature drops, we put more layers on, right? And vice versa when the temperature rises; should we consider this for our calves too? First, let’s understand why we use the calf jackets.
Over a decade ago, research at the Royal Veterinary College, London found that calving heifers at 23 to 25 months of age was optimum in terms of their subsequent fertility, milk yield and survivability through to the third calving (1). The recommendation to calve heifers close to 24 months of age is not new. But the message is just as valuable today – in fact, new data from recent studies have further reaffirmed this important practical advice.
Diarrhoea in the young calf is a commonly occurring challenge on many farms. Recent research by MSD Animal Health, completed as part of their Youngstock Survey in 2020, indicated that 90% of dairy farms had experienced scour in calves in the previous 12 months and that over 65% had experienced mortality due to scour. Diarrhoea is reported as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in early life, which can result in significant economic losses and potential welfare challenges.
A difficult birth can have a negative impact on health, performance, and survivability of youngstock. We must aim to not only reduce levels and severity of dystocia but also put protocols in place to manage calves from difficult births.
If you have encountered crypto in your calves, firstly, you are not alone, 40% of all scour cases are diagnosed as crypto so it is a common and big problem. It is not easily eradicated but there are steps we can take to reduce and hopefully remove the problem.
Prepare yourself for summer and take a read about the different effects that parasites have on your youngstock and what can be done to reduce the risk both for internal and external parasites.
As cold temperatures remain low, take a read at how Pneumonia impacts on the respiratory system of the calf and what can be done to prevent it.
Copper and Selenium/Vitamin E are important trace elements for cattle that have a big impact on performance. Deficiencies in these elements are often exaggerated by malnutrition, poor husbandry, and ineffective parasite control.
