By Scout Nelson
Experts in beef cattle from Kansas State University have emphasized the significance of comprehending and averting weak calf syndrome, sometimes referred to as dummy calf, as the country's fall-calving cowherd moves into late gestation.
A K-State veterinarian named Bob Larson defined dummy calf as a condition in which newborn calves lack the normal enthusiasm to nurse and move around vigorously on a recent episode of the Cattle Chat podcast.
K-State’s Brad White added that while these calves may appear healthy, they show little interest in nursing or awareness of their surroundings. The condition often results from oxygen deprivation during a difficult birth, known as dystocia. According to K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers, when a calf is stuck during birth and the umbilical cord is pinched, oxygen supply is cut off, leading to potential developmental issues.
Prevention of dummy calf syndrome begins with proper management of the cow, particularly first-time calvers. K-State nutritionist Phillip Lancaster advises producers to ensure that heifers are at the proper weight before their first calving and to check pelvic areas to accommodate the expected calf size.
In addition to birth difficulties, certain infectious diseases like leptospirosis and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) can also contribute to dummy calf.
Once a dummy calf is recognized, it’s crucial to provide nutritional support, especially by ensuring they receive colostrum. Producers may need to assist by tubing the calf and encouraging it to nurse from a bottle.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Dairy Cattle