Pre Weaning Management

Pre Weaning Management

Pre Weaning Management The number one cause of death in calves over six months of age is pneumonia. Treatment of calves with pneumonia is also costly and despite treatment lung damage can affect thrive. Last year we encountered severe outbreaks of pneumonia each week from September to February. Hoose control is critical. If calves have not been dosed before now do so immediately. Hoose larvae have been unable to move from the dungs on pasture during the dry spell and now following the rain, high levels of hoose larvae are present on pasture. This, combined with cattle grazing extremely tight, means that calls to hoose pneumonia are very common now. If you had issues with pneumonia last year then

  1. Calves should be dosed immediately
  2. Vaccination against the common respiratory viruses is the best solution in sheds with recurrent problems.
  3. Any stressful procedures e.g. castration/dehorning should ideally be carried out well in advance of weaning
  4. Calves should be vaccinated now in advance of weaning
Contact us for best advice on your own farm situation. Post Weaning Management including bought-in Weanlings Cattle have small lungs compared to their body size - they are prone to respiratory disease or pneumonia. Most winters in the west of Ireland are particularly bad for pneumonia due to warm and poorly ventilated sheds. Freshly weaned animals should be bedded on straw and eating meal. Watch for signs of pneumonia – early treatment is important. Monitor temperatures of coughing animals -temperatures >104oC need treatment as well as animals not eating. Treatment should continue for 48hours after the reduction in temperature—that means at least 3 days.     Feel free to contact us for advice in advance of purchasing weanlings

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