As part of its focus on the calf in the period from 10 days-old to weaning, #Calfmatters’ Dr. Ailsa Milnes goes back to basics on bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

“Whether you have beef or dairy calves, good health in the first weeks and months of their lives is critical to ensure that animals go on to perform as anticipated,” said Dr. Milnes of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, which is behind the #Calfmatters educational platform.

The #Calfmatters calf health and performance ‘from 10 days to weaning’ flow chart includes a number of handy checklists to help with planning and managing improvements on-farm. #Calfmatters is also asking Irish farmers to share their top tips for healthy, robust calves, from 10 days-old to weaning.

Simply record a short video with your best advice and share on social media tagging '@calfmatters' and using the hash tag #from10days. There are four 4x4 tyres up for grabs, so why wait?

“Respiratory disease in calves remains one of the main health problems leading to reduced growth rates, increased age at first calving, lower milk yield and, ultimately, reduced life expectancy," Dr. Milnes said.

“Calf health is influenced by many factors but some, such as colostrum management, vaccination and hygiene, are within the control of the farmer,” Dr. Milnes added.

“By aiming to produce a resilient calf with a robust immune system, housed in a good environment, the balance is pushed in favour of the calf - which allows for the best possible start.”

Pneumonia and scour are the main causes of disease in young calves with pneumonia - the main reason for calf mortality in the one to six month age bracket.

“To optimise calf immunity, adequate quality colostrum in the first hours of life is essential,” added Dr. Milnes.

“The baby calf’s gut wall is permeable to antibodies in the first four hours of life, which allows for antibody transfer from the dam’s colostrum but then it rapidly closes.  This process of absorption is referred to as passive transfer of immunity.”

Studies have shown that only 52% of dairy heifer calves had adequate transfer of immunity via colostrum.

What does this mean? These calves are more at risk of disease, especially from BRD which has long-lasting affects; animals with lung damage will have suffered reduced average daily liveweight gain.

Sick calves will eat less, have reduced growth and lower lifetime performance.  And, according to the farmers who responded to the #Calfmatters survey, the effect of pneumonia can be wide-ranging, with losses of income and personal stress commonly cited.

“Even though you may have evaluated all aspects of your system, you have to be realistic about your farm’s set-up, what works well and what needs improvement. Very few people are able to alter everything, so it is a bit of a balancing act,” said Dr. Milnes.

Using an intranasal vaccine such as Bovalto Respi IN delivers rapid protection against RSV and PI3 and can be used from 10 days-old. The intranasal route is very effective in young calves and 12 weeks of protection is given from 10 days after vaccination.

To submit your best tips for managing sick calves, click the button below.

In conclusion, Dr. Milnes says there are three areas to focus on:

To learn more about #Calfmatters,

Terms and conditions apply, contact #Calfmatters for more information.

Bovalto Respi Intranasal, nasal spray, lyophilisate and solvent for suspension contains Bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3V), modified live virus, strain Bio 23/A 10^5.0 – 10^7.5 TCID₅₀ and Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), modified live virus, strain Bio 24/A 10^4.0 – 10^6.0 TCID₅₀. IE: POM(E).

Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. IE Tel: 012913985. Email: [email protected]. Bovalto is a registered trademark of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. ©2021 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: April 2021. BOV-0087-2021. Use Medicines Responsibly.