Know How / Youngstock management Case studiesSee all YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of smart ear tag calf data for targeted treatmentSmart ear tags for calves can pick up signs of pneumonia at least 24 hours before they are obvious to humans. But the advantage of this earlier disease detection will… DAIRYHow smart ear tags are improving calf health and saving timeSmart ear tags are saving a Kelso dairy about two hours a day manually checking every calf. The technology is allowing the team at KSH Farms to focus on the… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow a heifer rearing unit works successfully at scaleEconomies of scale have allowed a contract farming business to maximise efficiency by sending replacement heifer calves from three of its dairy herds to a single, dedicated rearing unit. Farming… DAIRYHow two dairies are using bovine pheromone to reduce stressHigh-yielding herds milking through robots and running heifers as a separate milking group are now using a bovine pheromone to further reduce stress levels at first calving. Despite already operating… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTSmart tech helps shorten finishing period on Powys farmIncreased daily liveweight gain, respiratory health issues driven down by 75% and antibiotic use down 60% are the result of using modern technology with good stockmanship, at Brongain farm, Powys.… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of ad-lib milk feeding for calvesGiving pre-weaned calves access to as much calf milk replacer as their appetites demand has transformed the performance of Scottish dairy farmer Rory Christie’s heifer replacements. Dourie Farming Co, at… Practical adviceSee all YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow to ensure calves absorb vital antibodies from colostrumCalves with poor immunity have a lower chance of reaching first insemination and reduced conception rates, resulting in delayed age at first calving. This finding was from a recent study… DAIRY8 ways calf clubs are transforming rearing efficiencyWyvern Farm Vets’ Proactive Farmer Programme has shown what many farmers already suspected: when calf rearers, vets and vet techs work together consistently, calf performance improves dramatically. Over the past… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of feeding transition milk to calvesHelping calves build immunity quickly from the moment they are born goes far beyond the “colostrum story”, according to consultant vet Tommy Heffernan. While the role of nature’s “liquid gold”… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on step-down weaning for calves to avoid setbacksFeeding high volumes of milk to calves during their most efficient and cost-effective growth phase needs a step-down protocol to ensure a smooth transition through weaning. Without it, the two… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on minimising dairy calf moves to reduce stressEvery change in environment, social grouping and diet is an upset for a young calf. This impacts feed intake, which, in turn, affects growth rate. Anecdotal evidence, from business consultant… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT7 ways small changes in calf rearing can bring big gainsAs a vet working with dairy and beef farms, one of the most common questions I am asked is: “Do we need to make a big change to improve our… Insights HEALTH AND WELFARECalf toys: What’s on offer and are they worth it?Introducing toys into the calf pen can enhance the development and wellbeing of youngstock, helping them thrive and become resilient animals in adulthood. However, these should not be at the… LIVESTOCKHow vaccination helps farming couple beat crypto outbreakA young farming couple who lost nearly a quarter of their suckled calf crop to cryptosporidiosis in 2023 have taken a belt-and-braces approach to help ensure such devastating losses never… DAIRYGB Calf Strategy to focus on unweaned dairy beef calf welfareDairy beef is no longer seen as a by-product of the milk industry, but a suitable co-product to replace beef imports, as a result of the GB Calf Strategy’s work.… LIVESTOCK DISEASESWhy pneumonia is hitting more young grazing suckled calvesVets are urging farmers to put in place mitigation strategies to curtail a surprising increase in respiratory disease linked to immunosuppression in young, suckled, grazing calves. The rise in cases… FEED AND NUTRITIONIs insect oil an alternative fat source for calf milk replacer?Using oil derived from black soldier flies as the fat source in calf milk powder could offer a more sustainable solution to current alternatives – without compromising on youngstock performance.… MEDICINESWhy don’t more farmers use pain relief for sick calves?Concern over managing the use of antimicrobials on-farm and a lack of understanding around the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are preventing use of these drugs as standard in treating… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy calf starter feed is important for weaningOffering calves a starter concentrate from day one – plus access to clean water – is critical for rumen development and, ultimately, avoiding a post-weaning dip in growth rates. Even… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of lung scanning for respiratory disease in calvesA study involving eight commercial dairy farms has flagged up the value of scanning calf lungs for respiratory disease damage. Some two-thirds of the animals found with lesions had never… FEED AND NUTRITIONCopper in dairy rations: Is too much as bad as too little?Evaluating copper levels in every feed source and supplement before formulating rations for dairy cows – and youngstock – will help meet animal requirements but prevent overfeeding and protect animal… LIVESTOCKHow a farm vet team cut antibiotics use in calf castrationsAntibiotics use in surgical calf castration by a south of England vet practice fell by nearly 60% in one year following a clinical audit. Tonia Simms, clinical director at Hampden… LIVESTOCKWhy a congenital defect could cause calf lossesAsk a dairy or beef farmer if they have ever had a calf born with atresia, a condition commonly known as “waterbelly”, and the chances are they will say no.… LIVESTOCKBenefits of giving dairy calves toys on farmGiving dairy calves plastic “toys” to play with helps them express their natural behaviour which, in turn, benefits their mental wellbeing. As a result, they are less likely to display…
