5 minute read
HEALTH
Temperature checks key to optimising calf environment
What can producers learn from the poultry sector to help take calf rearing and disease prevention to the next level? Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is exploring this question, as part of its #Calfmatters campaign.
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TEXT RACHAEL PORTER
Producers know that well-ventilated and draughtfree housing is key to disease prevention and achieving optimal growth rates in young calves. But less is known about the impact of temperature and humidity or, more importantly, how to monitor and control these two factors. So Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, in conjunction with PrognostiX, a veterinary business specialising in poultry data collection and analysis, has set up dairy unit trials involving sophisticated temperature and humidity sensors developed for use in the poultry industry. The work will continue into 2021 and Prognostix’s specialist poultry vet Barry Thorp says that the findings will highlight areas where dairy producers can improve calf environment and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) control. In poultry houses everything from temperature and ventilation through to feed and water are constantly and consistently monitored and managed. “This keeps disease and associated growth checks and mortality rates at bay in poultry production systems, and is key to maximising health and welfare,” says Boehringer Ingelheim’s vet adviser Ailsa Milnes. So, logic says that there’s much to be gained from better management of the calf environment. Good building design is critical and of particular relevance to pneumonia control in young stock. There are two key functions here – ventilation and thermal control. Ventilation is vital to remove excess heat and water from buildings. It also removes micro-organisms, dust and toxic gases such as ammonia, and provides fresh air. “Thermal control is also important for disease prevention, health and production efficiency,” adds Dr Milnes. Recent work, carried out at the University of Nottingham, revealed that environmental conditions, particularly temperature, play a significant role in calf mortality rates. “All animals have a thermoneutral zone – a temperature at which they require no energy for maintaining body
temperature, either through warming or cooling mechanisms.” For newborn calves, this thermoneutral zone is between approximately 10°C and 26°C, changing to between 0°C and 23°C by a month old. For every 5°C decrease in temperature below the lower critical temperature, a calf’s energy requirement increases by 1.1 MJ, with food digestibility also decreasing by around 2% for every 10°C drop. Temperatures above the upper critical temperature can cause heat stress, which is associated with reduced intake, reduced weight gain and increased disease. Heat stress is not purely a function of temperature. Relative humidity (RH) plays a big part too. Humidity also effects pathogen survival. Viral survival is at its lowest with a RH of between 40% and 70%. Similarly, Mannheimia haemolytica (a major respiratory disease causing bacterium) survival is lowest at between 50% and 55% RH.
Data loggers
“The ideal RH for a calf environment is 50% to 60%, regardless of temperature, although greater adverse effects on calves are seen with high humidity and extreme temperatures,” says Dr Milnes. Monitoring temperature and humidity in a building can give a proxy of the building’s function and suitability for the age of stock present. “The use of data loggers gives advisers a better idea of building performance,” she says. “But, unfortunately, these are usually only placed at one point in the building, often away from the stock and do not give a fair representation of the whole set up.” “One solution here is equipment that provides real-time access to data from a heat map produced from multiple sensors around a building, with no expensive or difficult installation processes,” says Dr Thorp. To date four calf units, in England and Wales, have installed PrognostiX environmental monitoring in their calf housing, with more units to be added in early 2021. The equipment comprises a communication device and multiple sensors. The sensors are positioned throughout the calf house or shed and monitor temperature and humidity, taking measurements every 15 minutes.
Ailsa Milnes: “Thermal control is important for disease prevention, health and production e ciency”
Results of the trials, which end in autumn 2021, will offer insight into exactly what’s going on in the calf house environment and help producers to optimise calf health and welfare. “My gut feeling is that producers need to look more closely at the humidity and temperature in calf buildings, particularly during the first six weeks of the calf’s life. That’s the critical period – the age where mortality rates can be as high as 10%.” Initial data indicates that temperatures can fluctuate enormously from night to day. Temperature drops are likely to be particularly problematic because they create increased humidity and condensation, contributing to an adverse environment for calf health. “We’re looking to provide a more controlled and consistent environment for the calf – in terms of temperature and humidity – within the buildings and/or pens. And these also need to be draught free.” Dr Thorp is aware that this will require investment in facilities on some units. “But our results will allow producers to justify that expenditure. They’ll be better able to see the value in providing calves with a better and more controlled environment.”
Insurance policy
And some will also see the benefit of using a vaccination programme as an insurance policy, if they recognise that there’s an issue with a particular building, at certain times of the year, that can’t be resolved. Targetting bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is important as it’s the cattle disease that accounts for significant antibiotic use. “It makes sense to start here. There are big wins to be had and many producers already have calf-rearing protocols in place, such as colostrum management and strict hygiene routines, to keep BRD in check,” says Dr Milnes. “A closer look at the environment could be the missing piece in the puzzle for those still seeing breakdowns. We know it’s not easy to control the calf-rearing environment – many calves are housed in sheds and buildings that are not ideal and often not fit for purpose. This work will highlight this and encourage change,” adds Dr Milnes. The company’s calf vaccine range against BRD – Bovalto Intranasal, Bovalto 3 and Bovalto 4 – has a key role to play in reducing disease, protecting herd health and welfare and reducing antibiotic use. “It’s another tool, but it’s not a silver bullet and is certainly no substitute for good calf management and husbandry.” |
Online seminar at Dairy-Tech
Boehringer Ingelheim’s #Calfmatters work with PrognostiX will be explored in more depth during an online seminar at the Virtual Dairy-Tech 2021 event. PrognostiX’s poultry vet Barry Thorp will be discussing the initiative with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Ailsa Milnes, including a Q & A session, at 11.30am on Friday February 5. Register at www.dairy-tech.uk/watching-dairy-tech-online.
