Tackling housing problems without antibiotics

The housing period is one of the riskiest times of year for cattle and calves. Moving indoors brings changes in temperature, environment, and feeding, which can elevate stress hormones and suppress the immune system. This leaves animals more vulnerable to disease.

Confined spaces, wet floors, poor ventilation, and manure build-up create ideal conditions for infections. Pneumonia and lameness are two of the most common and costly problems at this stage.

BRD

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), or calf pneumonia, is the most common cause of death and poor performance in calves and young cattle between one month and one year old. Incidence is estimated at 20–25%, with damage often permanent and irreversible.

When pneumonia strikes:

• One in seven calves fail to reach their first lactation
• Up to 70% of cattle have lung lesions at slaughter
• Pneumonic calves have lower milk yields, slower growth, longer time to first calving, and increased calving intervals
• Calves recovering from scour are 10 times more likely to develop pneumonia.

The impact is lifelong, cutting productivity and profitability.

Changing priorities

Despite the prevalence of BRD, respiratory vaccine uptake is relatively low, with surveys showing only 25–40% of farmers using them consistently.

A 2021 UK/Ireland survey found farmers ranked ventilation and housing changes as the most important improvements, with vaccination scoring lower. Similarly, a 2020 survey highlighted good ventilation (28%) and hygiene management (27%) as the top measures, ahead of colostrum management (18%) and vaccination (15%).

The trend is clear – more farmers are focusing on environmental solutions to prevent disease.

Air quality 

Fresh, clean air is essential for healthy stock. Research shows animals perform better in well-ventilated sheds, with less risk of respiratory infections. One major threat to air quality is ammonia, produced by the breakdown of urine and manure. Even at low levels, ammonia irritates the respiratory tract, damages protective lung surfactant, and weakens immune defences.

Ammonia exposure:

• Increases BRD risk
• Causes permanent respiratory damage
• Makes calves more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.

Continuous exposure in enclosed spaces makes calves especially vulnerable.

Reducing risk

Alongside good management and ventilation, farmers can improve air quality with targeted tools like Provita Promist, a livestock air purifier that reduces airborne disease risks during housing.

Promist is a fogging or misting agent containing:

• Natural organic acids – lower air pH and reduce harmful bacteria
• Essential oils – help clear the respiratory tract
• Wetting agents – capture and remove dust and particulates.

Applied above and around animals, Promist purifies the air, surfaces, and the animals themselves. It can be used when new stock is housed; during still, stagnant weather; and daily in sheds with poor airflow.

The results are less ammonia, lower dust levels, and healthier breathing conditions. Farmers often see cattle coughing and clearing airways after application – a sign the expectorant effect is working.

On-farm results

Farmers using Promist during the high-risk housing period report strong results. Applying it daily for the first month after housing has, in some cases, eliminated pneumonia cases altogether.

One dairy farmer said: “We didn’t have one case of pneumonia to deal with last year and the calves responded in spades regarding the growth rates they achieved.”

Reported benefits include up to 90% less antibiotic use; lower respiratory disease rates; faster growth rates; and reduced cases of ringworm.

By tackling ammonia and airborne pathogens, Promist helps protect health and performance without antibiotics.

Promist works best as part of a wider strategy, alongside:

• Effective, draught-free ventilation
• Clean, dry bedding
• Avoiding overstocking
• Good nutrition and colostrum intake
• Close health monitoring.

By directly improving air quality, Promist provides an extra layer of protection at a challenging time of year.

Farming faces pressure to cut antibiotic use to combat AMR. Non-antibiotic solutions like Promist help farmers maintain animal health and productivity while reducing reliance on medicines.

The housing period doesn’t have to bring high risk of disease. With better ventilation, cleaner air, and proven tools like Provita Promist, cattle can stay healthier, grow faster, and perform better – without heavy antibiotic use.

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