Written protocols should be in place and reviewed annually with your veterinarian and employees to ensure that certain procedures are carried out appropriately.

Goals:

FARM - To support the birth of live, healthy calves and to transition cows into lactation Dairy Well - To ensure calf survival and cow health by aiding in calving, and to promote calf welfare by feeding colostrum in a timely manner.

How to assess:

Review the maternity management protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met: ​

Dairy Well

• Emergency contacts should be noted
• Close-up and maternity pens are maintained to be clean, dry, and well-bedded (can refer to another SOP)
• Close-up pen is monitored throughout the day
• Feed quality colostrum: when, how much
• Signed by VOR

A template is provided as a guideline; farms may write their own as long as minimum content is met.

National Dairy FARM Program

• The calving area is soft, cushioned, dry, well-lit, and well-ventilated
• Follow calf delivery procedures provided by the herd veterinarian
• Thoroughly clean calving pen and re-bed
• Provide 4-5 quarts of high quality colostrum to calf within first 8 hours of life
• Administer any health products as designated in the Herd Health Plan by manager or veterinarian

Validus

• Facility has a dry, clean calving area
• Colostrum protocol includes testing for antibody amount, monitoring for successful passive transfer, and monthly review program/passive transfer monitoring by herd veterinarian or manager
• Calves have access to feed (solid at day 3) and water
• Calves are observed daily for health issues
• Calves are vaccinated according to veterinarian or industry recommendations