Since then, after analyzing our records (thank you DHI-dairy herd improvement and more specifically Dairy One) we saw that calves that were given one nasal vaccine (TSV2) were being treated just as much as the calves that we didn't vaccinate, however, calves we administered Enforce 3 to, we treated 2/3 less of that group. We then looked at what Enforce 3 covered that TSV2 did not. The only difference was that Enforce 3 protected against BRSV as well. Then we talked to our vets (who had already been out to look at the calves and could not figure out what was the root of the respiratory problems). When we told them our findings our vet looked at our calves and cows and said, "Yep, you have classic case BRSV. Not fun.
We started a new vaccination protocol for both the cows and the calves last year. This year we noticed a definite decline in clinical cases, though we could still see some. We knew we had to get them away from the barn where we used to house them, because it is only 15 feet away from the holding pen.
So, we took them across the road to what we call the "Graveyard Field," being as it is right next to a graveyard and a church. Though it does sound ominous :). So far we have not had any baby calves die this year once we get them on the ground and get them started.
We started out by building pens out of big round bales. These were bales that were made late and we were selling them for mulch hay. Most of the bales had plastic wrap on them, but some did not. The pens looked like this:
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| We put three round bales on each side and two in the back. We put them close enough that we could lay two gates across the top, which we secured a tarp to so that they would have a nice wind break and shelter in inclement weather. Danny sat a bale on both sides of the "roof" to keep the wind from carrying the gates off. |
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| I took these pictures during feeding time this morning. This is our baby pen--the youngest ones. |
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| We also provided a little bit of a running space outside comprised of four pieces of calf panel from TSC. |
BUT..... we were having some problems with some of the pens. The pens made up of bales wrapped in plastic provided too much temptation for the calves....and they chewed on the plastic. Then they proceeded to lick the moldy shell of the bale underneath the plastic (why, I have no idea - especially because we were offering them fresh clean hay, grain, water, and milk). So, we visited TSC again and purchased some round pen gates, which have so SO many uses on the farm, and this is the new and revised pen, which wouldn't work in early March, but thankfully we were through the cold, yucky weather by the time they started chewing on the plastic and moldy bales.
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| We used three 12' round pen gates per pen. The best thing about these gates is that they have their own hinges and pin locks built in. We did have to move one of the gates in a little bit so that the two 12' gates still reached across the top of the pen to form their roof. |
We built the round pen gate pens right as the weather started to get very warm, so the calves really appreciated the extra ventilation. For the two pens that did not have bales with plastic on them, we simply pulled out the two round bales that formed the back of the pen and we put gates across the back so that they could get a nice breeze through their pens as well. Thankfully, they don't chew on the net wrap...
And those are our calf pens. As far as the calves not getting BRSV...we still have some issues with it. We notice the most problems when we don't get the calves away from the cows quickly enough. We have had to treat a number of calves this year, but it has not been nearly as bad as it was in past years. Also, it helps that we now know what to look for and can address the problem quicker.
May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and keep you. I am going to head to bed, but I have so much more to share! We have had lots going on and I am just now finding time to sit down in front of the computer and write it out.
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