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calvesSpoke #4: AIR QUALITYEvaluate program with smoke bombs and air speed meter Check that calves are getting enough fresh air by using a smoke bomb test as a safe and effective way to determine the number of air exchanges a barn is receiving per hour. Current industry recommendations suggest a minimum of four air exchanges per hour during cold weather. To estimate this, light several smoke bombs in the barn and walk around, filling the barn with smoke. Then time how long it takes the barn to clear the smoke in minutes and apply to the equation below. 60 minutes per hour = # of air exchanges per hour# minutes to clear smoke Verify the fresh air is delivered to the calf level by using the smoke bomb test to visualize airflow. Bringing fresh air into the barn does not necessarily mean it is reaching the calf space. Smoke bombs are cheap, easy to use and can aid in the visualization of airflow. Introduce the smoke into the fresh air inlets or positive pressure tubes and watch how it is distributed throughout the barn. It is very important to measure whether the calves are experiencing a draft by using an anemometer (air speed meter). A draft for a pre-weaned calf is defined as air moving faster than 50 feet per minute or %u00bd mile per hour. While drafts are to be avoided when it is cold, they are beneficial for heat abatement when it is hot outside. Accurate air speed meters can be relatively expensive. Most ventilation professionals will have access to an anemometer for evaluating air speeds on-farm. Spoke #5: VACCINATIONEvaluate program with your veterinarianDue to regional and operational differences, there is no such thing as a one size fits all vaccination protocol. Therefore, it is best to consult with your veterinarian when designing a vaccine protocol. A judicious yet effective vaccination protocol will limit vaccine use to those that have proven efficacy. Creating a protocol specific to your farm and reviewing vaccine use annually will provide the best protection for all animals involved. Spoke #6: SANITATION Evaluate program with ATP meter or surface protein swabs Just because something looks clean, does not mean it is. Cleaning protocol efficacy can be assessed with an ATP meter or surface protein test. There are countless products and protocols when it comes to keeping calf equipment clean. Regardless of the approach used, an effective cleaning and disinfection protocol should reduce pathogen buildup and remove biofilm from calf feeding equipment and penning. Execute the established cleaning and disinfection protocol, then use an ATP meter or surface protein swab to test what is being left behind. ATP meter readings of 200 RLU or less are the goal for calf feeding equipment and penning after they have been cleaned and disinfected. Document your ATP readings to help identify areas that need improvement or to recognize times of the year that are more challenging to maintain cleanliness. Perform audits of cleaning and disinfecting protocols on a regular basis to keep pathogens at the lowest levels possible.Focusing on maintaining strong spokes in your calf wheel will keep your calves at optimum performance. Evaluating colostrum, calories, bedding, air quality, vaccinations and sanitation can help calf raisers ensure that calves stay healthy despite the stressors they may encounter.This article was originally published with the Progressive Dairy Magazine at: https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/calves-heifers/calves-and-bicycle-wheels-a-systematicapproach-to-troubleshooting-pre-weaned-calves1.888.376.6777 %u2022 www.crystalcreeknatural.com | 41