Cold temperatures often bring an increase in sick calves. There are physiologic reasons why it increases the risk of respiratory disease. This should prompt caretakers to further tune in more to the health of their calves. Early detection and treatment is important to calves’ immediate health as well as to long-term production.
Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 14, 2017.
Early detection and treatment is important to the calf’s immediate health as well as to her long-term production. Evidence suggests that cows who were treated more than once for respiratory disease as calves produce 10% less milk in their first lactation, and 15% in their second lactation.
INSIGHTS: Articles like this remind us that talking about the weather with producers may not be productive for either party. Instead, use the weather topic to move the conversations to more productive discussions about prevention and detection. OTC reps and veterinary teams can link this article in blogs, emails and newsletters.