Calf mortality - causes and control measures

Abstract

The future of the livestock economy depends on the calves. Calf mortality causes heavy losses to the farmer as well as economy of the country. Adopting simple management practices such as ensuring adequate intake of colostrum within the first 12 hours of life, proper housing, good hygiene to minimize disease transfer, providing clean drinking water, developing appropriate feeding protocols to encourage early rumen development and proper animal health care can all lead to improved calf performance and can reduce calf mortality. Thus, raising high-pedigree farm-born calves scientifically is the most profitable method of reducing herd replacement costs.