4 Vaccinations
Vaccination and ventilation are two other areas that Jack feels are crucial to success. All calves are vaccinated for BVD, Lepto and IBR, as well as pneumonias. “With everything we do I am aiming for ‘poultry plus’ standards not ‘dairy minus’,” says Jack.
Ventilation
In terms of airflow, Jack has forced ventilation that gives 7.5 clean air changes per hour, every hour.
Clean water
"Water is another area where cleanliness and hygiene are often overlooked but the importance is huge,” continues Jack.
Medication
In terms of medication we are aiming for zero antibiotics... We’re not there yet but we are very close. I have also set myself an ever-decreasing benchmark for mortality – I am currently working towards, and achieving, sub-2%".
"There are so many variable factors in calf rearing – the feed, the weather, travelling time, calf quality, etc but what we’re trying to do is control as much as we can and get the right combination. You can always improve. The day I think I’ve cracked it is the day to stop.”