Animal Health & Veterinary Medicine

Calf disease is an important problem on many farms that can have serious effects on calf survival and productivity. Calf diarrhea is the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in cattle in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate calf diarrhea management on Korean native cattle farm. Data were collected prospectively on parameters related to calf diarrhea on 10 farms located in Jeonbuk/Jeonnam provinces in Korea. A 30-question survey about health status, hygiene, farm environment and management practices was administered to farmer by face-to-face interview. Of these farms, one farm with no presence of calf diarrhea was chosen to serve as a standard (control). Another 9 farms with presence of calf diarrhea were divided into 2 groups based on the incidence of calf diarrhea (less than 50%, 50% or more). Several calf management conditions showed no difference on the visited farms. These factors include colostrum management and calf treatment by owner. In contrast, other factors such as hygiene management (frequency of cleaning the farm/calving area, placement of individual calf space, vaccination for diarrhea, etc.) differed between farms and showed an association with the incidence of calf diarrhea. This study identifies several factors associated with calf diarrhea that should be further investigated to establish calf management protocol to reduce the calf diarrhea in Korea.