Controlling neonatal calf morbidity and mortality: Prepartum management

Proper management during the calving season is critical for controlling neo natal morbidity and mortality in beef herds. Multiple factors impact neonat al morbidity and mortality beginning long before calving season. Key manage ment practices in the prepartum period include proper replacement heifer de velopment and sire selection for control of dystocia, good herd nutrition f or good calf vigor, management of the prepartum cow environment to control environmental contamination, and a proper vaccination program.