Open Access Highly Accessed Review

Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention

Ingrid Lorenz1*, John F Mee2, Bernadette Earley3 and Simon J More1,4

Author Affiliations

1 Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

2 Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland

3 Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland

4 Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

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Irish Veterinary Journal 2011, 64:10 doi:10.1186/2046-0481-64-10

Published: 16 September 2011

Abstract

Calfhood diseases have a major impact on the economic viability of cattle operations. This is the first in a three part review series on calf health from birth to weaning, focusing on preventive measures. The review considers both pre- and periparturient management factors influencing calf health, colostrum management in beef and dairy calves and further nutrition and weaning in dairy calves.

Keywords:
Calf health; Prevention; Periparturient management; Colostrum; Dairy calf nutrition