The two vets at last week’s livestock demos spoke about the importance of hygiene at calving time. Both vets said that hygiene levels on suckler farms have slipped in recent years, with less time on the farm to attend to hygiene issues.

At calving, when the cow’s cervix opens it leaves her very prone to calf-bed infections if good hygiene protocols are not followed. Soap and water is the basic hygiene requirement, with Hibiscrub or chlorohexidine at a higher level.

Gloves are also very important to prevent both infection to man and beast. Using plenty of straw was another issue that came up at the meetings. With straw scarce in the west, farmers may try to conserve it. Cavan vet Finbarr Kiernan commented that it was extremely important that the newborn calf had a clean, dry bed to prevent scours and pneumonia.

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