The key factors to consider in minimising respiratory diseases are ventilation, good general health and nutrition, minimising stress and vaccination.
Where the shed may be a factor, there are numerous simple actions which can improve airflow and reduce the risk of pneumonia without huge investment. These include:
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Cleaning out gutters and fixing leaking pipes or water troughs to reduce moisture levels
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Ensuring adequate dry bedding area
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Removing roof ridges to increase the outlet area for warm, damp air
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Increasing the air inlet area at the sides of buildings, above animal height.
Optimum nutrition, health, and the wider environment, can affect stress levels. When well-managed they can help to minimise stress, thereby reducing the risk or respiratory disease. With that in mind, consider simple management principles, such as:
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Avoiding high stocking densities
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Avoiding mixing groups, especially bought-in cattle
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Minimising stress around weaning and transport
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Treatment to prevent other diseases, such as coccidiosis or BVD
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Providing good quality feed and clean water, including adequate colostrum for calves.
Calves can be vaccinated against four key viruses known to cause bovine respiratory disease and if this is in the farm’s health plan, it should be done before housing. Vaccination increases resistance to these viruses and reduces the shedding of infection from affected animals.
A guide to carrying out a pneumonia MOT and an EBLEX BRP+ document called Better Management of Bovine Respiratory Disease, are available at www.eblex.org.uk