Never economise on straw

It all appears very obvious but if calves become damp, even if it only affects their legs and lower belly, they quickly feel cold and run a greater risk of airway ­problems and diarrhea. ‘Compare it to a wet coat,’ suggested Johan Verdaasdonk, young cattle ­specialist. ‘If you walk around too long in a wet coat, you will catch a cold too.’ The test for sufficient straw in the pen is a very simple one: do the knee test. ‘Kneel on the straw in the pen for 30 seconds. If your knees and legs stay dry, there is enough straw.’  After spending a few months on straw, it is time to move the calves to the cubicles. This is a major change, and there is a risk that the calves will lie down on cold grids covered in manure. Johan Verdaasdonk, offers a useful tip for this stage, too. ‘Throw some straw into the pen; out of habit, that is where the calves will then lie down.’