MoleValley Calf - Mole Valley Farmers

Hygiene is vital for healthy livestock
and optimising performance
by Dave Horton, Diversey Hygiene Consultant
Hygiene-related health issues are a major drain
on the industry. The supply of well grown,
healthy and vigorous calves is the lifeblood of the
industry, yet many calves are lost through poor
hygiene practices every year.
Others will suffer reduced performance throughout
their life as a consequence of diseases that can be
controlled more effectively if stringent hygiene
management protocols are followed
Better hygiene is at the very heart of the ‘Five C’s,
that calves need to thrive.
• Colostrum
• Cleanliness
• Comfort
• Calories
• Consistency
A calf that is fi ghting disease will not grow as
effectively and costs are increased, as drugs are
used to try and combat the problems.
Good building hygiene, attention to air quality and
disinfection of feeding equipment can contribute
to reduced levels of scours but biosecurity is also
important to reduce the risk of pathogens being
introduced. This means paying particular attention
to the hygiene management of people and vehicles
coming onto your farm.
Housing design is vital to managing good hygiene
practice where large numbers are intended for
rearing. Equipment should be easy to remove
after each batch, and surfaces easy to clean.
Environmental cleaners should be used to penetrate
the dirt ahead of power washing to reduce all
debris, and reduce ‘vaporizing’ the bacteria.
All manure should be removed from the building,
with special focus on uneven or stone fl oors. Clean
down is also an opportunity to review the building.
Maintenance, and preparation for the forthcoming
2012 CALF MANAGEMENT GUIDE | MOLE VALLEY FARMERS
Five freedoms
Husbandry
Each calf has the right to all five
freedoms in accordance with the Farm
Animal Welfare Council.
1. Freedom from thirst, hunger and
malnutrition
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury and
disease
4. Freedom to express normal
behaviour
5. Freedom from fear and distress
season, and anticipated weather.
Drainage, and gutters should be
part of this to ensure excessive
moisture, and humidity are
controlled.
Good hygiene built into your daily
routines, along with good attention to detail, is vital
to the modern production of quality livestock.
Problems with enteric disease and scours can be
reduced by paying closer attention to hygiene,
and consistency. Scours can be caused by many
different pathogens, including rotavirus, E.coli and
cryptosporidia. The average cost of a case of scours
is put at £44 and this excludes the reduced lifetime
performance.
Pneumonia remains the biggest drain on the industry
and is the most common postmortem fi nding in
calves from one to fi ve months old. While mortality
is low, at around 3 per cent, pneumonia is highly
infectious and around 50 % of young calves will be
affected by a single outbreak. It will spread rapidly
through a group and will cost around £40 per calf.
Affected calves will never grow to their potential,
increasing the cost and days to slaughter.
The risk and costs of pneumonia can be greatly
reduced. However, if good hygiene practice is
adopted, including the operation of an all-in allout
approach followed by thorough cleaning and
disinfection of the building prior to the introduction
of the next batch.
For advice or guidance call
our Dairy Hygiene specialist
John Bewes on
07917 753147
Mole Valley Plus
01769
576201
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