The time of greatest risk for spring calves to develop scours, or diarrhea, is right after birth. Caused by exposure to E. Coli, Salmonella and coccidia found in manure, scours is the leading cause of death in calves under the age of one month.
Tim Nelson, Brookside Agra Vice President – Animal Health & Nutrition Sales, says producers
who maintain healthy calf environments and provide calves with a natural nutritional supplement at birth may help to minimize scours infections in their spring calf crop.
The gut of a newborn calf is nearly sterile, making it vulnerable to harmful bacteria and viruses found in its environment. Plus, weaning newborn calves from their mothers, particularly in the case of dairy calves, can be extremely stressful, causing their appetites to decrease while increasing the nutritional demand on their bodies.
Nelson recommends feeding newborn calves oral nutritional supplement Calf-Rescue by Brookside Agra to naturally boost their digestion and immune systems to help protect against scours.
Calf-Rescue, available in an easy-to-use oral applicator, promotes healthy microbial counts in calf rumens to increase feed intake and improve digestive function. Calf-Rescue also provides Vitamins A and E, Thiamine HCL, Pyridoxide HCL and Vitamin B12 – critical for normal calf growth and development – as well as a healthy dose of microorganisms including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis to promote healthy ruminant function.
“Giving calves the nutrients they need at birth when they are weak and vulnerable will actually keep them healthier, therefore reducing the need for expensive shots and costly medical treatments to treat illnesses such as scours,” said Nelson.
Nelson also recommends minimizing calf exposure to manure contamination and keeping bedding areas dry and ammonia free by using Brookside’s all-natural, multi-purpose drying agent Absorb Plus.
Regularly spreading Absorb Plus powder on bedding materials, as well as the calves, will provide sustained suppression and elimination of ammonia, moisture and odors. Absorb Plus, which is safe to use around humans and animals, has been proven to improve air quality and promote healthier animal environments to reduce death loss.
Composed of 80% hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate and a 20% mineral mix of iron, zinc and copper, Absorb Plus contains no phosphorus, which eliminates concerns regarding manure management and application, and it poses no health threat to animals or humans. All of its separate components are on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list.
Brookside Agra is now offering Absorb Plus in a convenient 25 lb. bucket size – available for purchase online through Brookside Agra’s website at a cost of $29.95, plus shipping (www.brookside-agra.com/products/animal-health/absorb-plus/).
For more information about Calf-Rescue and Absorb Plus, visit https://www.brookside-agra.com/categories/animal-health/ or contact Tim Nelson, Vice President – Animal Health & Nutrition Sales at 402-560-7381 or tim.nelson@brookside-agra.com.