Journal article
A survey of northern Victorian dairy farmers to investigate dairy calf management: calf-rearing practices
AJ Phipps, DS Beggs, AJ Murray, PD Mansell, MF Pyman
AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL | WILEY | Published : 2018
DOI: 10.1111/avj.12686
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the calf-rearing practices carried out in northern Victorian dairy herds and to identify weaknesses that may affect calf health and welfare by comparing the results with current industry recommendations. METHODS: Survey of dairy farms from Rochester and the surrounding farming area. RESULTS: The response rate was 39% (58/150). Many dairy producers were not meeting the current industry recommendations in the following areas: (1) delayed access to pellets and roughage, (2) failing to provide access to water from birth, (3) delayed disbudding of calves, (4) delayed timing of booster vaccinations, (5) weaning based on age alone, (6) failing to isolate sick calves and (7) ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The study was supported by the Rochester Veterinary Practice, Dairy Australia, Gardiner Foundation and the University of Melbourne. The authors thank the participating farmers for their assistance and involvement in this research.