Navel ill, or umbilical infection, remains a significant cause of poor calf health, reduced growth, and increased mortality on cattle farms. But with proactive management and the right products, it’s a preventable problem.
At birth, the calf’s umbilical cord becomes a vulnerable entry point for bacteria. Until the navel dries and seals, it acts as an “open tube” into the calf’s body. Navel infections—also known as omphalitis—can begin with a swollen, hot, and painful umbilical stump. In more severe cases, infection can spread internally, leading to peritonitis, joint ill, meningitis, or even death within days.
Navel infections affect an estimated 30% of calves and the consequences last well beyond the first few weeks of life. Calves with navel infections grow up to 96 grams (3.5 oz) per day slower and face a 2.5x higher risk of mortality. That shows up in your pen weights, your vet bills, and your bottom line.
“UMBIREZ sticks well to the navel and dries it quickly; there’s also no sucking from other calves. It reduces the number of times we dip and there are less infections, so less money spent on antibiotics and pain relief.”
Annie Jones, Dairy Farmer
Drying the navel as quickly as possible is essential to protect the calf or lamb. UMBIREZ desiccates the navel in as little as 2 hours, faster than other products on the market; including 10 % iodine, alkaline electrolyzed water or chlorhexidine-based products. On several farms this has resulted in reducing the number of applications.
UMBIREZ contains a blue dye making it easy to see which animals have had their navels coated. It can be used as a dip or a spray and comes in multiple pack sizes ranging from 500ml (17 fl. oz) up to 3L (0.8 gallons). Bespoke bigger sizes may be available in some markets on demand, talk to your distributor for more information.
UMBIREZ is purpose-built for the livestock market. For decades farmers have had problems with excessive maternal licking, which removes products such as iodine off the navels of calves. Additionally, in wet sheds or outdoors, products are often washed off in the environment. UMBIREZ can fix that. It contains a bitter agent to deter maternal interference, and it is waterproof: meaning it stands up to the farm environment – protecting for longer.
Proven protection that lasts is essential for navel protection. UMBIREZ provides rapid cleansing of the navel, before leaving behind the patented UMBIREZ non-colonizable, protective barrier: coating and sealing the navel.
UMBIREZ is made entirely from food-and-feed grade ingredients, making it safe for use on all species and antibiotic-free. No withdrawal periods. No antibiotics. Just proven protection.
UMBIREZ is trusted by farmers and vets worldwide. To find information regarding distributors and stockists in your country please click here.
UMBIREZ consists of food-and-feed grade materials; a combination of a natural polymer combined with low levels of metal salts in an ethanol base. As for all navel products it’s not recommended for ingestion due to the ethanol content but there are no specific requirements to prevent contact between cow and calf, post application. Additionally, UMBIREZ contains a bitter agent to deter licking.