Calf Club 2022 
Soon after calving, Calf Clubs and other rural events begin to happen around the country.  As events take place where calves and cattle are attending, it’s a timely reminder to make sure you keep your animals as safe as possible and minimise risk of infectious diseases. 

Holding a safe Calf Club - Keeping calves separated is the key
The main way Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) spreads is by close contact between cattle. Pens are the best way to keep individual calves separated, otherwise ensure calves are tethered at least two metres apart. Transport 

Calves from different herds or farms should be transported to and from Calf Club separately. 

Parading calves

To help reduce contact between calves while they’re parading:

• calves should always wear a halter
• consider separate entry and exit points to the parade area.

Read the latest information about holding a safe Calf Club - here.

Keeping NAIT updated
To ensure a safe event, it is important for all farmers to remember to keep NAIT records current. All animal movements to and from events must be registered.

Make sure all calves (except bobby calves under 30 days of age, going directly to slaughter), born on your farm are NAIT tagged and registered.

See OSPRI’s checklist for calving, including tagging tips – here.

Wandering stock 

 If you find cattle on your farm that may have come from your neighbour’s property:

• isolate the cattle immediately from your own stock
• check for and isolate any other wandering stock that may have mixed with your cattle.

Sourcing bulls 

Best practice is to source virgin bulls directly from a single birth farm. The risk of M. bovis introduction is increased if the bulls have:

• multiple source farms
• been through multiple premises
• been used to mate cows on other farms.

Talk to your vet about M. bovis testing for bulls before they are moved onto your farm or after they have moved but before they have opportunity for contact with cattle on your farm.

• Record the bulls that are used with each group.