Farmers at Moorepark told: ‘No quick solutions; get the basics right’

FARMERS attending the Moorepark open day were told by researchers that there is no quick-fix calf rearing solution. The important thing is to get the basics right. The necessary time and effort are well worth while, delivering healthier, stronger calves.

The first step is to have clean calf housing and to ensure calves get two to three litres of colostrum within four hours of birth.

First colostrum is best, the sooner the better, because absorption of antibodies from colostrum reduces over time. Leaving calves to suckle their mothers is no guarantee that they get sufficient colostrum. A stomach tube is ideal for giving first colostrum.