It's most often the little things that get overlooked which caused the calves to get sick. Here are some things to pay attention to when trying to prevent calf diseases:

1) Maternity pen and calf transportation equipment

• One of the areas that need extra attention is the maternity pen.

• This is because calf enters the maternity environment immediately after birth.

• Make sure it is clean and proper bedding materials are used to ensure calves remain healthy.

2) Navel dipping

• Navel dipping is crucial to prevent disease and helps to give calves a healthy start.

• It is encouraged to use a solution of at least 7% tincture of iodine to dip navels.

• Immerse the full length of navel cord into the solution right up to the calf's belly.

• Make sure the navel dipping equipment is clean as it would cause a lot of harmful effects if it is not disinfected properly.

3) Calf colostrum

• Healthy calves require quality colostrum.

• Always test the colostrum quality with a refractometer and make sure proper sanitation practices are followed when administering colostrum.

• Always ensure the colostrum equipment is clean.

• Esophageal feeders, bottles and nipples can serve as a direct pathway for harmful bacteria to enter calf.

4) Hutches and pens

• Make sure hutches and pens are sanitized including all walls of the calf housing unit and the ground underneath it.

• Poorly sanitized facility can be very harmful to the calves as they allow bacterial to transfer to the next cycle of calves.

5) Biosecurity

• Employees and visitors can be unsuspecting sources of calf disease.

• Anyone working directly with the calves should use latex gloves as it will limit the transfer of harmful pathogens.

• Shoes and clothes should also be cleaned and disinfected before entering a calf facility.

• Paying attention to these details will ultimately prevent calf diseases and improve performance and health of the calves.