Calf Pens/Hutches

Mistral for Calf Pens and Hutches

Dairy calves immune systems are constantly fighting off pathogens that invade their bodies, which decreases growth rates and feed efficiency.   When these pathogens overcome their immune systems, disease sets in and can become chronic conditions that will prevent the animal from reaching its full genetic potential.  Mistral can help keep pens/hutches dry and limit the growth of bacteria allowing calves and young stock to put more of their energy into growth and less into disease resistance.  This will keep them healthy and help them reach their full potential.

 Mistral also reduces ammonia produced from urine and manure.  Ammonia is often an overlooked problem in livestock production.  Ammonia is a chronic stressor that can also influence the growth rate and infectious disease in young animals.  Ammonia’s effects are seen on the calf’s respiratory system.  Ammonia burns the lining of the lungs and trachea allowing for bacteria to enter the calf’s systems and attack.  Ammonia also affects two of the five mechanisms that protect the lungs from invasion of foreign materials.  The first, mucocilliary transport, is the movement of mucus on the walls of the lungs by the driving force of ciliated cells. The mucus, through its continuous movement, helps remove foreign objects such as bacteria from entering the lungs.  Ammonia destroys ciliated cells thus slowing mucus movement.  When mucus slows, bacteria pools in the stationary mucus and infection can occur.  The second, macrophage function, are white blood cells on lungs that attack and destroy bacteria.  Ammonia can kill macrophages, thus further reducing the defense against foreign invaders. 

The first organ to respond to stress in calves is the lungs. Pneumonia is the second leading cause of pre-weaned heifer deaths behind scours, but the two diseases can go hand in hand.    Pneumonia is caused by bacteria and viruses, but the predisposing factors of dampness and ammonia gas are more significant in controlling the disease.

Mistral will not only help keep pens/hutches dry and limit bacterial growth, it will hinder the conversion of urea to ammonia gas. Mistral is also a natural fly repellant due to one of the dry oils that is contained in the powder.

*Use Mistral to help reduce scour and pneumonia causing pathogens and to limit predisposing factors that lead to respiratory disease.