Calf death risk warning

With close on two million calves being born on Irish farms over the coming months, a veterinary expert has warned about the risks of calf deaths.

Fergal Morris, Veterinary Adviser in Ireland with Schering Plough, said that close to 50,000 calves die a year. Good management and effective prevention could substantially reduce this erosion of farm income.

“Scour is the biggest threat to the life of a newborn calf, accounting for well over half of all deaths,” he said.

Mr Morris said cow vaccination combined with effective management are the only effective methods to prevent calf scour.