Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Rotavirus Prevention

Rotavirus is a leading cause of neonatal calf scour causing significant welfare harm. Vaccination of cows and optimal colostrum management prevent this major welfare problem.

Key Facts

Rotavirus causes profuse diarrhoea in calves from 3 days to 3 weeks of age
Dehydration from calf scour is rapidly life-threatening without oral fluid therapy
Vaccinating cows before calving boosts rotavirus antibodies in colostrum
Colostrum management is critical for passive transfer of protective antibodies
Oral electrolyte therapy is effective and should be initiated early in scoured calves

Welfare Considerations

Rotavirus scour causes severe welfare harm through pain, dehydration, and death. Prevention through cow vaccination and excellent colostrum management is highly effective and far more welfare-positive than treatment.

What You Can Do

Support farms with calf scour prevention programmes including vaccination
Advocate for rotavirus vaccination to be standard in dairy and beef calf welfare schemes
Learn about calf scour prevention and oral fluid therapy
Choose dairy products from farms with low calf mortality records