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Calf health — page 2

In indoor group housing of calves, one of the dangers is disease. That's why ventilation is so important.
Barns, Calf health, Dairy, Livestock

Why group calf housing continues to grow

Labour efficiency, strong growth and socialization are reasons why farmers choose group housing of calves

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More dairy farms are turning to group housing. In this second article on housing young calves, how group housing is working on farms. (Read the first article here)The content of this article comes from a video podcast produced by the Dairyland Initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is hosted by Courtney Halbach, extension specialist, […] Read more
Hutches for housing calves first appeared in the 1960s and continue to be popular today due to their ability to limit calf diseases.
Calf health, Dairy

Why individual calf housing continues to be popular

Disease management and individual feeding are reasons farmers use individual calf hutches

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Housing for young unweaned calves has evolved greatly. Today, there are different styles, with variations. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. This article is the first in a series of two. Read the next article here.In a video podcast, the Dairyland Initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison presented the different types of housing for young […] Read more
The presence of foot problems is one area where chelated minerals could make sense.
Calf health, Cow health, Dairy, Livestock

Strategic use of chelated trace minerals in dairy rations makes sense

There are specific cases where chelated trace minerals should be used in dairy diets

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In the last couple of years I have noticed that most dairy lactation diets contain a fortified level of chelated trace minerals. When I ask dairy producers why they feed them over conventional ones, they often say they don’t know or their nutritionist thinks it is a good idea. There is nothing technically wrong with […] Read more
Photo: dageldog/Getty Images
Calf health, Cow health, Dairy

Preventing the introduction of BVD

European analysis shows dairy herds at greater risk for the disease than beef cattle

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Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) infection is typically introduced to a herd with the arrival of a persistently infected (PI) animal—a bovine that appears normal but sheds large amounts of the BVD virus into the environment. Naïve cattle exposed directly to the virus through nose-to-nose contact or indirectly through contaminated materials become sick with a fever, […] Read more
A veterinarian works with a cow.
Calf health, Cow health, Dairy, Livestock

Managing veterinary medicine shortages

Cattle producers often find bare shelves when they need animal health products

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In the ever-changing world of global supply, cattle producers regularly face inconsistent supplies of critical animal health products. This makes it necessary for producers to be in close contact with their veterinarians to ensure they’ve got what they need when they need it. The issues that can affect supply are  varied and include: For example, […] Read more
Purple coneflower, or echinacea is used to treat illness and inflammation in humans and researchers have found that it works for dairy bull calves as well.
Calf health, Dairy

Purple coneflower can aid calf immunity

Humans have taken purple coneflower, or echinacea, to manage colds and infections

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A University of Guelph study shows that feeding purple coneflower to dairy bull calves has positive effect on immunity and inflammation levels. Purple coneflower, known by the scientific name echinacea, has long been used by humans to try and prevent the common cold, infection and skin wounds and conditions. It is thought to stimulate immune […] Read more

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