Update to UK calf management and housing strategies

A questionnaire of UK farmers who reared dairy calves commercially was carried out in 2020, and had 216 responses (Mahendran et al, 2022). A key finding wasthe recognition of the low level of regular...

Figure 1. 200-cow shed. There are no waiting cows. Cows lie straight in the cubicles because there is adequate space in front of the brisket locators

Building for the dairy cow

Getting the housing right is important for any herd, but it becomes increasingly so the longer the housing period. Just as there is an increase in numbers of seasonally block-calving herds in the UK,...

Figure 2. Small groups of calves housed within a polytunnel, fed using manual Wydale feeders.

Practical implications of calf housing systems in the UK

The selection of the type of calf housing used on farm can be influenced by many factors, with an understanding of farmer perspectives proving helpful in the provision of appropriate veterinary...

Figure 1. Petrifilm inoculation and reading. Inoculating the film with a defined amount of colostrum or milk allows an estimation of the hygiene status by counting the colonies after incubation

Metabolic programming and monitoring tools in pre-weaned dairy calves

Epigenetics describes influences on and effects of differences in gene expression. DNA contains a code made out of genes which encode proteins/enzymes. Proteins are produced in the processes of...