What every practitioner should know about calf barn ventilation

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is financially significant to a dairy operation due to treatment costs, veterinary costs, loss of replacements, and reduced future production potential. High air bacterial counts have been shown to increase incidence of respiratory disease. Positive pressure tube ventilation systems aim to reduce air bacterial counts and noxious agents by driving fresh, outside air to the microenvironment of the calf. It is important for dairy practitioners to understand the basics of these systems so that they can make recommendations or troubleshoot problems.