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
Calf health — page 3
Purple coneflower can aid calf immunity
Humans have taken purple coneflower, or echinacea, to manage colds and infections
Carrier status for two dairy defects available soon
Lactanet will publish evaluations for defects affecting Holstein and Brown Swiss
Lactanet says dairy producers will soon have access to genetic information on tested bulls and females that carry the defect for muscle weakness (Holsteins) and the BH14 haplotype (Brown Swiss). Why it matters: To prevent potential spread of the fatal defects, breeders must avoid mating two recessive carrier-status animals. Dr. Allyson Fleming, a geneticist with […] Read more
Extended colostrum feeding can improve calf health
Calves fed colostrum for up to 14 days after birth had better weight gain and reduced disease
This was first published by Dairy at Guelph. Feeding enough high-quality colostrum soon after birth is critical for calf health and has long-term effects on their performance. But could there be benefits of feeding colostrum after passive transfer of antibodies is expected to occur? That’s what a recent study by Prof. Michael Steele and MSc. […] Read more
Taking the bite out of cold-weather livestock care
Strategies for keeping calves warm and healthy
The youngest calves on the farm are the most sensitive to different environmental temperatures. In the case of cold weather and falling temperatures, producers can have problems managing morbidity, mortality and suboptimal growth rates, says Dr. Sarah Morrison, a research scientist with the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy, N.Y. She was the […] Read more
Colostrum has value for sick calves
Colostrum testing and feeding frequency has risen on Canadian dairy farms
Researchers say Canadian dairy farmers are doing a better job of getting colostrum to their calves and measuring to make sure those calves have absorbed enough to create passive immunity. Now they are pushing the boundaries further on uses for colostrum and finding value in feeding transition milk. Why it matters: Heifers that don’t receive […] Read more
U.S. researchers uncover emerging Holstein genetic defect
Affected recumbency calves unable to stand after birth
The North American dairy breeding sector is providing early-stage advice to protect herds against a newly discovered and potentially fatal genetic defect affecting Holstein calves. The first official word on the defect, currently referred to as calf recumbency, came through a joint news release on April 3 from the U.S.-based Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding […] Read more
New research will look at dairy welfare and technology
The use of artificial intelligence to help farmers improve dairy animal care will be studied on Ontario and Quebec farms
A new research collaboration at McGill University and the University of Quebec in Montreal will explore the role of artificial intelligence in promoting dairy cattle welfare. The project aims to create “a digital living lab to link animal welfare and dairy farms’ profitability.” Why it matters: An updated Code of Practice for the Care and […] Read more
Increasing veterinary capacity in Ontario to receive $15 million in funding
To help address veterinary shortages in rural and northern communities, the Ontario government is investing more than $15 million to establish anew Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with the University of Guelph and Lakehead University. The government is also providing grants to new veterinary graduates as an incentive to work in underserviced areas in […] Read more
Updated Dairy Code of Practice released
The updated Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle is now available from the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC). It replaces its predecessor, developed in 2009, effective April 1, 2024 (unless indicated otherwise in Requirements with a later phase-in date). The 2009 dairy […] Read more
Livestock producers must watch for zoonotic diseases
Several diseases can be easily passed from animals to humans
Cryptosporidia and giardia are two intestinal parasites that can cause diarrhea in people and calves. These parasites are single-celled organisms (and Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhea in both beef and dairy calves under one month old. Young children, pregnant woman and immune-compromised adults who are infected can have severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. […] Read more
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