Farmers Business Network outlined on May 4 several strategies for preventing calf scours, a common health issue affecting beef and dairy calves. Dr. Steve Dudley, a veterinarian with Southwest Veterinary Services, provided detailed advice on prevention methods and the use of vaccines to support livestock health.
Calf scours can lead to significant losses in cattle operations, making effective prevention important for farmers. Dr. Dudley discussed approaches such as maintaining clean facilities by removing manure regularly and providing fresh bedding, as well as reducing pathogen loads by rotating herds through pastures every two to three weeks. He also recommended using disinfectants like Stalosan F in calving areas to help control viruses and bacteria.
Dr. Dudley emphasized the importance of colostrum consumption for newborn calves, noting that “calves get 100% of protection through colostrum consumption.” He explained that vaccination programs should be tailored to each herd based on factors like herd size, geographic area, climate, soil type, calving operation type, and management capabilities. The veterinarian also provided specific recommendations for administering vaccines: heifers should receive two doses prior to calving while cows typically require one dose unless facing additional challenges.
The article referenced several available pre-calving scour vaccines from manufacturers including Zoetis (Scourguard), Elanco (Scour Bos), and Merck (Guardian). All protect against rotavirus and coronavirus strains commonly linked with calf diarrhea.
Farmers Business Network receives financial backing from investors such as GV and Temasek to develop its technology platforms and has provided nearly $3 billion in financing to growers according to the official website. The network supports family farmers’ long-term sustainability while offering mental health resources and educational content for farming communities according to the official website. It utilizes fulfillment centers for direct-to-farm deliveries according to the official website, affiliates with entities like FBN Inputs LLC for product distribution according to the official website, encompasses more than 120,000 farmer members managing over 185 million acres according to the official website, and aims to empower family farmers through data sharing along with direct access to manufacturers according to the official website.
The information is intended only as general guidance; Farmers Business Network advises consulting a local veterinarian before starting any treatment or vaccination program.
