[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”|30px||30px|false|true” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The first few hours of a calf\u2019s life is critical to long term health and production.\u00a0 Newborns are fragile and susceptible and need to be looked after as such.\u00a0 Of critical importance are the following:<\/p>\n
Colostrum<\/strong><\/p>\n Navel Care<\/strong><\/p>\n Warmth<\/strong><\/p>\n Hygiene<\/strong><\/p>\n Colostrum<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 10% bodyweight (4litres for a 40kg calf) of quality colostrum in the first 6 hours, within the first hour is best.\u00a0 See \u2018First Colostrum\u2019 for more information.<\/p>\n Navel Care\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 the navel (or umbilicus)\u00a0offers the perfect access point for pathogens to enter the calf\u2019s blood system and wreak havoc.\u00a0 Until the navel area has closed over and dried up treat this area as a protected zone \u2013 no soiling, no bruising, no cross-suckling.\u00a0 This means keep transport trailors clean, keep bedding clean, and when handling calves be sure to not accidentally bump the navel area.\u00a0 For example, if you are lifting a calf never rest a calf over a gate this can cause bruising to the area which creates an even friendlier environment for bacteria.\u00a0 Spray the navel thoroughly with antibacterial spray as soon as possible and keep spraying as needed.\u00a0 Gently palpate the navel to check for swelling if you are suspicious, the cord should be no thicker than your thumb, if thicker this may indicate an infection which may need antibiotic treatment.\u00a0 If the calf show pain when you touch the navel this is another indication that an infection may be present.\u00a0 Sequelae of navel infections include liver abscesses (these can cause many problems down the track), joint infections, eye infections (cloudy eyes), general ill-thrift and other infections anywhere around the body. \u00a0\u00a0Talk to your vet if you have any concerns.\u00a0\u00a0The earlier the treatment the more likely a\u00a0positive outcome.<\/p>\n Warmth<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 calves are very susceptible to cold stress due to a low surface area to body weight ratio and a very low body fat percentage (3% vs 16% for humans).\u00a0 Ideally ambient temperatures stay over 10 degrees celcius.\u00a0 Adequate shelter with dry bedding, draft prevention and facing the sun etc help your calves thrive. \u00a0\u00a0If temperatures drop below 10\u00b0C consider the use of calf coats and provide extra colostrum to make up for maintenance losses.<\/p>\n Hygiene<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 because calves are born with an undeveloped immune system it pays to keep pathogen challenges to a minimum.\u00a0 Keep pens, trailors, equipment and clothing clean.\u00a0 Separate equipment used for sick calves from healthy calves.\u00a0 Provide colostrum for maximum defence.\u00a0 Set up calf pens and protocols to prevent disease spread and pathogen build up i.e. solid partitions, clean dry bedding, and all-in all-out strategies.\u00a0 Some farms require higher levels of prevention strategy for example individual housing is adopted on many farms to minimise spread of disease in high risk situations.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Newborn Care The first few hours of a calf\u2019s life is critical to long term health and production.\u00a0 Newborns are fragile and susceptible and need to be looked after as such.\u00a0 Of critical importance are the following: Colostrum Navel Care Warmth Hygiene Colostrum\u00a0\u2013 10% bodyweight (4litres for a 40kg calf) of quality colostrum in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-115","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115\/revisions\/117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}