Livestock Management RANCHING
Protect Pregnancies and Calves Via Immunizations and Boosters
U
NDERSTAND THE BEEF HERD PRODUCTION CYCLE — BREEDING season, calving, weaning, introducing replacement
heifers and more — to design a preventive beef herd health program. As we have discussed in previous articles beginning
in January (Prepping Heifers and Cows for the Breeding Season), vaccination (immunization) is the answer to a successful cow-calf health program. The health of a calf starts with the health of the
mother’s vaccination program. The replacement heifer pre-breeding vaccination
program establishes the foundation for cow herd im- munity and is the logical fi rst step in improving cow herd programs. Customizing the vaccination program for
your cow herd and the specifi c needs of your operation should be designed by you, with the help of your veterinarian, to have the healthiest and problem-free herd possible. Vaccinations should include bovine viral
diarrhea (BVD), infectious bovine rhino- tracheitis (IBR), Leptospirosis hardjo-bovis (Lepto), and campylobacter (vibrio). Other vaccinations can be added to fi t your needs and requirements. The fi rst vaccination cows should receive
is given pre-breeding, the second at preg- nancy check, and the third is pre-calving. First-calf heifers should also receive a scours bacterin
containing both viral (rotavirus and coronavirus) and bacterial (E. coli) antigens at pre-calving. A clostridial bacterin containing Cl. perfringens is
also incorporated into the program at this time. The cows will get a similar annual vaccination booster protocol as well. These should be given approximately 6 to 8 weeks prior to the start of calving to give the dam’s body a chance to build antibodies (protection against the diseases vaccinated for) that will be deliv- ered to her newborn calf in the colostrum (fi rst milk from the dam). These vaccinations protect the calf through passive
immunity (immunity transferred from cow to calf in the colostrum) and will protect the calf from being infected or exposed to such diseases as IBR and BVD while still in the uterus.
66 The Cattleman November 2014
to protect the cow herd from this disease, which nor- mally causes abortions during the fi rst trimester of pregnancy. Trichomoniasis vaccination at pre-breeding can also help prevent this disease from spreading through the cow and heifer herds, which can cause fi rst-term abortions. A proper vaccination program for your cow herd is
one of the most important things you can do for your cows. The other is a balanced diet for the different stages of production. Your local veterinarian can help you develop a sound and rewarding protocol. Editor’s note: David T. Bechtol, D.V.M., of Palo Duro
Consultation, Research and Feedlot, with the help and support of other colleagues and Merck Animal Health, provides a quick reference sheet on what to watch for and provide to your beef cattle herd during your 2014 calendar of events.
thecattlemanmagazine.com Modifi ed live virus (MLV) vaccines have advantages
over killed vaccines because they stimulate a more balanced, rapid and long-lived response. However, MLV vaccines can result in abortion if administered inappropriately to non-immunized animals during pregnancy. Comply with the label recommendations and the advice of your veterinarian. These cow herd vaccinations promote healthy cows
and calf crops. Other diseases such as lepto are nor- mally boostered annually at pregnancy-check time to protect against abortions in the third trimester of the pregnancy. Vibriosis vaccine is given at the pre-breeding time
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