Calf pneumonia is a regular problem on most farms throughout the late autumn and early winter. It’s an inevitable consequence of housing and as any parent knows, once your children go back to school and mix with everyone else’s children, that’s when the colds start.

While some suckler calves can cope with outdoor conditions, most breeds do need to be housed, so control of pneumonia has to be considered. This can either be through attacking the agents that cause the pneumonia (viruses, bacteria and mycoplasma) or through adjusting the environment so that the underlying factors are removed. Ideally, both of these should be done.

The design of the building and how efficient the ventilation is are a key part of prevention. As important as good ventilation is ensuring the calves are not in any draughts, for if they get too cold, their feed goes into keeping warm rather than fighting infection.

High moisture levels in bedding has to be avoided as this can to excessive ammonia levels, which can reduce the ability of the calf’s airways to clear infectious agents. Drains are an obvious area to check, but a dripping water bowl can be just as important.