Calving season began roughly three-weeks-ago for the majority of farmers, with most having a large number of calves now on the ground.
Now that a significant number of calves have been born on farms, it is important that a focus is still placed on hygiene.
The bacterial load in calving pens is now likely going to be high and also on the equipment if it has not been cleaned after use.
Maintaining high hygiene standards during the calving season is vital in order to ensure that illness is reduced within your herd.
Calving equipment
It it very unlikely that you are going to get through the calving season without having to assist a cow at some stage.
When you are assisting a cow during calving, it is important that you and the equipment you using are clean.
Any of the equipment that you use needs to be disinfected between uses, includes the calving jack and ropes.
There should be at least two sets of ropes on the farm, and they should be replaced if they become damaged.
When assisting with calving, ensure that you wear gloves – gloves are not only used to protect the animal of an infection, but also yourself.
Zoonotic diseases are a potential risk. A zoonotic disease is a disease or infection that is transmissible from animals to humans.
Pens
A continued focus needs to be placed on the calving pen, as infection pressure is likely going to be high.
Pens need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Fresh straw should be placed in the pen after each calving.
It always important to remember that calves are born without immunity, and only obtain immunity from colostrum.
If they are born into a dirty environment, the potential risk of picking up an infection or disease is increased.
Calving season
Calves sheds on many farms are starting to fill up, and this is when a breakdown from an infection point of view can occur.
Scour or other diseases can easily spread in a shed if measures are not taken to control them and prevent their spread.
Prevention is always a better path to take, rather than dealing with issues once they occur.