Barriers to recording calf health data on dairy farms in Ontario

Summary: An online survey was completed by a convenience sample of 88 dairy producers in Ontario, Canada, to investigate barriers for dairy farmers for recording calf illnesses and treatments. Fewer than a quarter of farms surveyed recorded all calf illnesses and fewer than half of farms recorded all administered antimicrobial treatments. We identified several factors associated with a producer's likelihood of recording calf illnesses and treatments, such as recording with a computer software system, keeping records in close proximity to the calves, and being a nonfamily employee. Several barriers were also identified, including lack of feedback from analysis of recorded calf data, records not being located near the calves, and records in a paper booklet.