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In this period with relatively cold and damp weather, dairy farmers need to keep a close eye on the health of their calves. You know the picture: coughing calves. While the first calves are being treated, the next one starts coughing. The link between damp weather and pneumonia is certainly there, but resistance plays a major role. Strong calves with a good immune system suffer much less from this condition, even during the challenging autumn period.
Pneumonia is still a big problem in calf rearing. On average 25% of calves get pneumonia, and after diarrhoea it is the second cause of calf mortality. Symptoms of a calf with pneumonia are: coughing, runny noses, fever and reduced growth. Pneumonia is not always clearly visible, but it can still lead to large financial losses.
The consequences of pneumonia at a glance:
- More antibiotic use and reduced growth of the calf. Pneumonia is also the main cause of antibiotic use in calves (60%-70%).
- The growth of a calf with pneumonia can be as much as 100-1500 grams per day lower than that of healthy calves.
- Pneumonia also leads to lower performance once the animal is in lactation. If the calf gets pneumonia in the first 6 weeks, this results in 4% lower milk production in the first lactation and even 8% lower production in the second lactation. This is due to the lower growth, which means the genetic potential is used less.
- Pneumonia causes permanent damage to the lungs. As a result, breathing costs the animal more energy. That energy then does not go to growth or milk production.
- Heifers that had pneumonia as a calf will also calve on average half a month later and have a lower pregnancy rate.
How can we reduce the risk of respiratory infections?
A prevention programme to reduce the number of respiratory infections in the milk feeding period should aim at increasing resistance combined with lowering the infection pressure.
Step-by-step plan for fewer respiratory infections
Step 1. Colostrum management
Improving colostrum management is an essential step in strengthening the resistance of calves. Make sure calves receive enough colostrum within 1 hour after birth. 4 litres of colostrum with a Brix value of at least 22 is enough, but a higher Brix value is always better. If the Brix value of the colostrum is too low, the colostrum can be upgraded with Colostrum Mix.
Also be aware that colostrum quality is influenced by the feeding of the dam during the dry period. Supplying the cow with all essential vitamins and trace elements through a Dry Mineral bolus has a positive effect on colostrum quality and also on the calf.
Step 2. Feed generously in the milk feeding period
Dare to feed calves more and feed according to a balanced feeding schedule. Make sure calves grow at least 850 grams per day throughout the milk feeding period.
For example, feed the calves at the same time each day, make sure the milk is at the right temperature and make sure the milk is well stirred or has the same concentration. This helps improve the immune system and makes calves better able to resist infections.
If calves are fed only cow’s milk, essential vitamins and minerals need to be added to the milk as a supplement. Topro Milk Boost is a supplement that adds extra trace elements and vitamins to milk, which increases the calf’s resistance and reduces the risk of pneumonia.
Step 3. Housing
Housing and the climate in the barn sound obvious, but they are still often underestimated. Draught is the number 1 cause of pneumonia in calves. So be very critical of the airflow in the barn. At the same time, prevent calves from lying wet; enough straw in the pens is very important here.
Step 4. Preventing stress
Preventing stressful situations reduces the risk of pneumonia. Stressed calves have lower resistance and are therefore more susceptible to infections. So plan dehorning and moving calves to other pens strategically, and make the switch from milk feeding to roughage gradual to keep stress to a minimum. The all-in-all-out system (moving all calves at the same time) with the pens left empty for a while reduces stress and breaks the chain of disease. Topro Bronchi Fit is a good supplement that can be fed around stressful periods. The combination of eucalyptol, mint oil and menthol eases breathing and helps clear the airways by making it easier to remove mucus.
Step 5. Hygiene around the calf
Working hygienically around the calf goes without saying. Several factors help lower the infection pressure, such as a clean calving pen, clean milking equipment, clean calf hutches and disinfecting the navel right after birth.
It is also important not to use a high-pressure washer in the same area where calves are kept. Moving portable calf hutches outside is a simple solution, but it is often not thought of. Cleaning calf hutches with a foam cleaner and a disinfectant keeps bacteria to a minimum and gives new calves a good start in the individual pens.
Getting on top of pneumonia pays off! Investing in calves always pays itself back through healthy and productive cattle.
Want to read more about the step-by-step plan? Read more here.
