Make navel care a priority

Calves without navel disinfection have an 11 percent higher death loss and 14 percent higher rate of pneumonia than those that are disinfected.

Sam Leadley, calf and heifer management specialist with Attica (N.Y.) Veterinary Associates, recommends these simple procedures to help lower death loss and pneumonia rates.

• Use fresh navel dip. Always dump out soiled dip and start with fresh dip for every calf.
• Wash off mud with dip. Mud can contain manure, dirt and urine. Use enough dip to get the umbilical cord and navel opening fully clean.
• Coat the full length of the cord in clean navel dip. Also be sure to coat the navel opening in the belly with the dip.
• Re-dip the navel after you remove the calf from the dam.

This dipping process prevents infections three ways. First, it washes away dirt and pathogens. Second, the solution kills germs on contact. Third, the alcohol base of the dip helps dry up the umbilical cord, preventing pathogens from going up the cord into the calf’s body. For more Calf & Heifer Tips from DCHA, click here.