A calf’s environment is complex, but some of the factors that influence health and performance are surprisingly manageable.
One of the simplest tools is pH control. By changing the chemistry of bedding and other calf environments, producers can influence biological conditions tied to pathogen pressure, ammonia and flies.
Three Ways pH Can Help Manage the Calf Environment
1. Manage pathogen pressure
Many pathogenic bacteria prefer neutral conditions. Lowering environmental pH can make those conditions less favorable for bacterial proliferation, helping reduce the challenge placed on a calf’s developing immune system.
2. Keep ammonia in check
pH helps determine whether nitrogen remains in bedding as ammonium or escapes into the air as ammonia gas. Lowering pH reduces ammonia volatilization and helps improve the calf’s breathing environment. Research with sodium bisulfate-treated calf hutches showed lower ammonia concentrations and more calves with zero lung lesions.
3. Interrupt flies earlier
Fly larvae thrive in moist, nutrient-rich environments. Lower pH can interfere with egg hatch and larval development, addressing fly pressure before adults emerge.
SurpHace® (sodium bisulfate, formerly known as ParlorPal) is a dry, granular acid designed to lower environmental pH. One simple chemical reaction can create several useful biological responses – giving calf managers another way to control the environment instead of simply reacting to problems.
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