32 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 Nutrient Loss BETTER CALF RECORDS calf barn were less likely to report that illness was not recorded due to time restraints. This also influenced record analysis. If calf records were kept in the calf barn, farmers were less likely to report that illness was not recorded because it was not analyzed.” In the second stage of the study, veterinarians provided feedback about their use of calf records. “Only 28 per cent of veterinarians said they frequently reviewed records, and only 44 per cent said they actually made recommendations after reviewing records,” states Edwards. “In our manuscript looking at calf health data, we found that many calf records are incomplete, and the most common reason for veterinarians not reviewing records was that they are not complete. It’s a bit of a cycle. One of the key reasons for incomplete records is that nothing is being done with the data, and on other side, vets are not analysing data because the records are not complete.” How can farmers and veterinarians work together to improve record-keep- ing practices and the utilization of data? Making records easier Complete records help producers compare the health of their calves to industry standards and farm goals. Edwards’s research found a few strategies that made it easier for producers to maintain more complete calf records. “When we looked at how recording compliance could be improved, producers wanted an easy-to-use recording system or mobile app that would potentially improve their calf health records,” says Edwards. “Calf health record completeness was associated with electronic records kept in close proximity to calves, and it was important to ensure analysis and feedback for those records.” She says that their results on the veterinarian side of the study suggested that, based on the number of vets not analyzing data, they should begin working with their producers to set up better record systems, facilitate analysis, and encourage producers to log data. “Vets should be working with producers to help set them up for success,” says Edwards. “There is a lot of software for elec- tronic recording, but this can also be done as simply and cheaply as a Google Sheets document that all employees can access from their phones. This would digitalize records and they can record illnesses and treatments calfside.” Producers might also wonder what should be included in calf health data to be considered complete. The most critical data would be treatment rates. This helps farmers and veterinarians understand preweaning illness and mortality rates and causes. Producers should record illnesses and treatments, including the drug used, duration, route of administration, and dosage. Edwards recommends including av- erage daily gain, which she says is a key performance indicator due to the negative effect of illness on the metric and its relationship to future production. She suggests measuring transfer of passive immunity between Day 1 to Day 7 of life using serum total protein analysis, with blood taken from calves within 72 hours from birth being most accurate, to get a general idea of colostrum management. This can be done by either the producer or veterinarian collecting blood samples and measuring serum total protein using a total protein refractometer or a Brix refractometer. Edwards also likes to use thoracic lung ultrasounds and to measure hygiene with a luminometer to get a better idea of the prevalence of lung consolidation and poor hygiene. “By analyzing data, you can assess where the farm is sitting relative to industry standards and farm goals,” explains Edwards. “If you are not meeting your farm or industry goals, having comprehensive data can help identify where the areas of concern are and where critical control points can be addressed. “Good records help you ask better questions, and because you have that objective data, you can then implement a management or protocol change.” Producers looking to improve their calf records should start discussions with their farm team and veterinarian. “Try to identify where the bottleneck is in your records and incorporate your vet in that discussion,” says Edwards. “See if they can help facilitate a way to better collect that data. Where and how records were being kept was really important. Have a discussion with everyone on the team to ask what they feel the barriers are to recording calf health data.” The manuscript related to calf records is currently published as ‘Barriers to recording calf health data on dairy farms in Ontario’ in JDS Communications. The second manuscript, which focusses on the role of veterinarians in data analysis of calf records, is currently in review for publication. BF Producers can use recording software or spreadsheets to log data. FotoSabine - stock.adobe.com
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