Preparing for calving and calf scour season

Calving season is a busy and exciting time.  However, for some, calving season is dreaded due to the extra work and stress created by chronic calf scours.  Calf diarrhea is caused by multiple organisms.  The potential of a calf developing scours depends on the strength of their immune system, the level of exposure, and the calf’s age when exposed to the infectious dose of the causative organism.  Energy and mineral status of the cow will play a critical role in the calf’s level of resistance.  Accurate delivery of certain additives such as mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) may be of benefit in situations where exposure level is difficult to reduce.

Common Scour-Causing Pathogen  

Improving the calf’s resistance begins with maximizing colostrum quality, which in turn begins with maternal nutrition.   If a cow is deficient in energy, protein, mineral or vitamins during the last trimester, the quality of colostrum will be reduced.     

Energy status of the calf is critical in mounting an immune response.  The calf is born with limited energy reserves (body fat) and is dependent on milk as an energy source.  It is imperative that the newborn calf nurse quickly.  Copper plays a role in cold stress.  The transfer of copper from the cow to the calf occurs in late pregnancy and will impact the calf’s cold tolerance and vigor.

Level of exposure is a function of animal density in the calving area.  Low animal density is the best way to lower pathogen load, but may not be practical in all situations.  Some suggestions are:

• Maintain a short calving season.  A calf born later in the season is at greater risk due to buildup of pathogen load.  Older calves may not be sick, but could be shedding.
• Calve first-calf heifers earliest.  The colostrum quality of heifers is lower than cows.
• Move animals out of the calving area quickly and place in a clean pasture with calves of a similar age.
• Consider feeding a supplement that contains MOS, which has been shown to reduce shedding of E. coli and Salmonella in cows as well as improve colostrum quality. Such supplements should be fed just prior to and during the calving season. Bacterial scours are the first challenge the calf will face.   Efforts to minimize the exposure to these bacteria will maintain a stronger immune system for fighting the viral and protozoa challenges that will occur later in the calf’s life.  

For related information, visit our Supplementation and Nutrition featured section. Source: Tim Clark, Animal Nutritionist, Ridley Block Operations

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