Emergency 01935 813288
Out of hours 01935 813288
Kingston House (Sherborne) 01935 813288
Grove Dene Vet Clinic (Yeovil) 01935 421177
Woodlands Equine Clinic 01963 210604
Shavehill Equine Clinic 01747 822799

Making Sure Your Calves Get the Good Stuff

Protecting each new-born calf from infectious diseases, ensuring they are healthy and productive in the long term, is a priority for every dairy farmer.

Current research shows that 26 - 50% of new-born calves don’t get enough colostrum, putting them at a much higher risk of disease or early death.

Calf scour and pneumonia pose real threats as soon as the calf is born, but good colostrum management can help give it the right start and protect it into the future.

Antibodies that the dam has built up in her immune system can’t pass through the placenta to her calf. But she can pass enough antibodies through her colostrum to her new-born. Not only will this help improve the calf’s immune system, it will help ensure its future health and growth.

Guidelines suggest that each calf needs 3 - 4 litres, or 10% of their bodyweight, of colostrum should be given at birth with a follow feed of a similar size within the first 12 hours. It can get this by suckling or via a stomach tube.

Speed is of the essence though. The calf’s ability to absorb the good stuff from the colostrum decreases rapidly after birth. Within 6 hours, it can only absorb 66% of the antibodies and within 24 hours, this reduces to zero.

During peak calving times or an outbreak of calf scour, how can you make sure your new-born calves are getting the best protection?

Making sure your calves get the best start in life is as simple as talking to your vet.

Book a call in to have a chat with us about the best options available. We can help make sure your calving season runs smoothly and is as productive as possible.

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Making Sure Your Calves Get the Good Stuff
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Practice information

Kingston House (Sherborne)

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  • Mon
    08:30am - 6:00pm
  • Tue
    08:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wed
    08:30am - 6:00pm
  • Thu
    08:30am - 6:00pm
  • Fri
    08:30am - 6:00pm
  • Sat
    08:30am - 11:30am
  • Sun
    Closed

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01935 813288
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Unit 5B Coldharbour Business Park Sherborne Dorset DT9 4JW
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Grove Dene Vet Clinic (Yeovil)

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  • Mon
    8:30am - 6:30pm
  • Tue
    8:30am - 6:30pm
  • Wed
    8:30am - 6:30pm
  • Thu
    8:30am - 6:30pm
  • Fri
    8:30am - 6:30pm
  • Sat
    08:30am - 12:30pm
  • Sun
    Closed

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01935 813288
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The Forum Abbey Manor Park Yeovil Somerset BA21 3TL
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01935 813288

Woodlands Equine Clinic

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  • Mon
    8:30am - 5:00pm
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    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Wed
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Thu
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Fri
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Sat
    Closed
  • Sun
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01935 813288
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Longburton Sherborne Dorset DT9 5PH
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01935 813288

Shavehill Equine Clinic

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  • Mon
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Tue
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Wed
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Thu
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Fri
    8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Sat
    Closed
  • Sun
    Closed

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01935 813288
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Buckhorn Weston Gillingham Dorset SP8 5HY
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01935 813288