Be vigilant for scour, now

WITH calf numbers on farms growing by the week, grass growth slow and the weather getting milder, but very changeable, this is an opportune time for an infectious scour problem to raise its head.

Most calf scours are caused by five organisms: viruses, mainly rotavirus and coronavirus; bacteria, mainly E coli and salmonella; and the protozoan parasite, cryptosporidium.

Prevention involves reducing the chance of infection and increasing the immune response. When a calf is born, it has no immunity.