When it comes to biosecurity on calf ranches there are two main components: preventing disease spread among animals and safeguarding human health. While often the focus is on animal health, it’s crucial to remember the significant role humans play in disease transmission and prevention. Kirk Ramsey, veterinarian for Neogen, underscores the importance of biosecurity on calf ranches needing to involve those two main components and notes that implementing a comprehensive biosecurity strategy can help achieve a balanced approach.
In Deerfield, Kan., Kansas Dairy Development provides temporary housing for more than 96,000 head of cattle, from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve, and according to Jason Shamburg, the organization’s co-founder and CEO, great animal care and husbandry go hand in hand with biosecurity.
“Clean cattle trailers, very clean facilities, clean calf hutches, clean bedding, clean milk, clean coveralls for our team and practices such as individual needle changes for treatments and needless applications for vaccines as well as a robust BVD screening and surveillance program are just some of the aspects that we believe develop a great calf but also creates the overall benefits of bio security,” he says.
Ramsey concurs but also notes sometimes a two-part viewpoint is overlooked at calf ranches because so much focus is put toward the calves when they are first onboarding into a new facility.
“Often they come from multiple states and go straight into calf hutches or individual pens,” he says. “In a way, this is kind of like a biosecurity practice to create a little bit of separation based on where those calves are coming from.”
Calf Health Management
Ramsey provides some tips on overall biosecurity tips for both calves and employees for calf ranches.
Onboarding
When calves arrive at ranches from various locations, biosecurity practices such as keeping calves separated in their hutches can create a needed barrier against disease. Maintaining organization based on the origin of the calves helps monitor and control potential disease spread.
“Also making sure those calves have had that first feeding is a massive part of their movement forward. Getting them comfortable and settled is a big first step.”
Sanitation Practices
Before new groups of calves are introduced, sanitation of the hutches is essential. Best practices involve pressure washing and using a combination of soap and disinfectants to clean the hutches. Air drying under the sun can further sanitize the environment. Moving hutches to new bedding areas allows the old ground to naturally sanitize and prepare for future use.
“A best recommendation practice is always moving hutches as you go down the line, so the calves are actually never on a bed pack where they were prior.”
Pest Control
Seasonal challenges, such as fly infestations in the summer, require strategic pest control measures. Ensuring dry bedding and routine sanitation practices can significantly reduce pest-associated risks. Careful maintenance of feeding areas, including bucket cleaning, can help control pest populations.
“Anything that we can do to try to maintain a drier environment in that calf hutch, the better to try to inhibit as much fly growth,” he says, noting the areas around where those flies are growing should be the target. “So that’s in front of those calf hutches, where that milk is getting spilled, where a lot of that fly growth is occurring.”
Record Keeping and Communication
Accurate record-keeping of calf health, vaccination schedules and treatments forms the foundation for effective biosecurity measures. Clear communication across all levels of staff ensures consistent implementation of biosecurity protocols, enhancing overall herd health.
“Having one person in charge of that line, or that group of lines, keeps that person responsible for those calves,” he says. “That person knows everything about those calves for that period of time, and then when they move to the next line, they are a communication relayer.”
Waste Management and Environmental Hygiene
Efficient waste management involves cleaning manure and bedding, allowing ample exposure to sunlight for natural ground sterilization. This ensures the environment is prepared for new calves, reducing the likelihood of disease resurgence.
“Allowing the sunlight to do its job, to break down the bacteria, is vital.”
Staff Training and Human Biosecurity
Another huge element to biosecurity is the people that interface with the cattle. It’s important to ask what are we doing to prevent each other from having the interface and bringing some of that stuff home to our families?
Providing coveralls and rubber boots can help reduce the risk of disease transmission to and from home environments. Encouraging routines like washing boots and hands is an easy yet impactful biosecurity measure.
Implementing comprehensive biosecurity measures on calf ranches fortifies the health of calves while protecting human health. Simple practices, such as maintaining cleanliness, systematic organization and thorough communication, can collectively elevate the biosecurity standard. Emphasizing these strategies ensures a healthier and more productive calf-raising environment.
As we aim for improved biosecurity measures, understanding both the challenges and solutions will pave the way for better practices on calf ranches, ultimately creating a win-win situation for both calves and humans.
Your Next Read:
Transform Efficiency: The Evolution of Full Circle Jerseys
