Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Calf Scour Prevention and Welfare

Neonatal calf scour is the leading cause of calf death globally and requires proactive prevention and prompt treatment for welfare.

Key Facts

E. coli, rotavirus, coronavirus and Cryptosporidium are the main causes of neonatal scour
Adequate colostrum intake in the first 6 hours is the single most protective welfare intervention
Oral rehydration therapy maintains hydration while treating the underlying cause
Vaccination of cows before calving provides passive immunity via colostrum for common pathogens
Environmental hygiene including clean bedding dramatically reduces pathogen challenge

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal scour causes acute dehydration, weakness and death in millions of calves globally each year. The majority of cases are preventable through adequate colostrum management, environmental hygiene and maternal vaccination programmes.

What You Can Do

Implement colostrum management protocols ensuring all calves receive adequate colostrum within 6 hours
Vaccinate cows before calving against rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli strains
Maintain clean dry bedding in calving pens to reduce pathogen load