Dairy Herd Management's Calf and Heifer Adviser

Salmonella prevalence studied
An internal study of samples submitted to the veterinary diagnostic lab at Cornell University sheds light on the prevalence of salmonella in northeast dairy herds. Last week, Daryl Nydam, veterinarian at Cornell University, shared highlights of the study at two, one-day calf workshops offered by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. Participating veterinarians submitted manure samples from cows, heifers and calves displaying clinical symptoms of the disease. Among the calves, culture results show 18 percent of 834 manure samples were positive. Results also show the prevalence was highest in pre-weaned calves. The incidence rate, or number of cases per 1,000 herd-years, was 7.7 cases. "So, if you had 1,000 head of calves, you'd expect eight clinical cases of salmonella in a year," Nydam said.

Protect calves from salmonella transmission
How long do infected animals shed salmonella into the environment? A follow-up study at Cornell University examined this more closely. "Only 5 percent of the calves had observed shedding for more than 30 days," says Daryl Nydam, veterinarian at Cornell University. Cows appear to be the bigger culprits. In the study, 30 percent of the cows shed for more than a month after they had recovered, Nydam says. "Salmonella is dose-dependent, so shovel stuff up," Nydam stressed to workshop participants at the Madison location. "Keep the dose low." It also is a good reminder to isolate calves from older animals.

Spacious transition pens
Moving calves from individual housing to group pens can be a traumatic experience for them. However, you can minimize the stress with proper housing, says Sam Leadley, calf and heifer management specialist at Attica Veterinary Associates, Attica, N.Y. For instance, provide at least 25 square feet of resting space per heifer. "If heifers are disturbed frequently — which happens with reduced resting space — heifer stress levels increase," he notes. "This stress is a precondition for illness and poor feed conversion efficiency." Also be sure that there is enough bunk space for all heifers to eat at once and that waterers offer easy access during all weather conditions.

Calf-management articles in Spanish
Get calves off to a healthy start. That is the focus of three calf-related articles found in the December issue of Manejo Lechero, a sister publication of Dairy Herd Management written in both English and Spanish. To provide a copy to your Hispanic work force, follow this link.

Dairy Calf & Heifer Profit Seminars
Another round of profit seminars sponsored by the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association begins next month. Topics include colostrum management, nutrition, transitioning heifers and maximizing growth. The tour stops at seven locations between January and March. For a location near you, follow this link.

Extra-large dose of cleanliness

Every time someone touches a calf on the 600-head, wet-calf facility at Busse Calf Farm in Barron, Wis., he or she washes their gloved hands. Trouble was, the nitrile gloves alone weren't warm enough during brutal Wisconsin winters. To learn the farm’s solution, follow this link.

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