Development of a Calf Health Decision Tool to support the implementation of management practices to prevent calf morbidity and mortality in western Canadian cow-calf herds.

Evidence-based decision tool improves veterinarian-producer collaboration for calf health management.

This study presents the development and evaluation of a Calf Health Decision Tool designed to guide cow-calf producers and veterinarians in implementing evidence-based preventative health management practices for preweaned beef calves in western Canada. The Tool was systematically developed using data from systematic reviews, expert consensus studies, and benchmarking analyses to identify herd-specific risk factors and recommend appropriate control measures. The instrument was piloted with two veterinarians and nine producers across herds with varying disease outbreak statuses. Results indicate that both veterinarians and producers found the Tool valuable for facilitating collaborative discussions about herd health risks and implementing targeted preventative strategies. The structured format enabled easy navigation and practical application. By consolidating available scientific evidence into an accessible decision-support format, the Tool addresses a significant knowledge gap regarding which health management practices are most appropriate for individual operations. Implementation of this Tool in practice may reduce calf morbidity and mortality while strengthening the veterinarian's collaborative role in preventative medicine within cow-calf operations.

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