Page 19 - MWC 4-23-20s

The Midwest Cattleman · April 23, 2020 · P19
Spring Health Strategies to Turn

Up Performance in Calves

Keeping calves alive and cows rebred are two main goals.
By Kevin Hill, Merck Animal Health mote a strong immune re-
For cattle producers, a sponse directly on mucosal
successful cow-calf program surfaces in the nasal pas-
starts in the spring. sages — the portal of entry
Among the many import- for respiratory infection in
ant management decisions cattle. There are several ef-
producers need to consider fective intranasal vaccines
are strategies to keep calves that increase protection
alive and healthy until wean- against pneumonia, avoid
ing, and getting cows rebred. interference from maternal
These will significantly affect antibodies in colostrum that
fall profits on calves and be can block injectable vaccines
the start to next year’s calf and are less stressful on
crop. Thankfully, there are calves compared to similar
several strategies producers injectable vaccinations. An-
can implement to help cows other intranasal vaccine can
thrive through breeding and reduce scours in newborn
gestation, and to help calves calves.
maximize their growth po-
tential to pay dividends as 6) Eliminate internal para-
they transition to the feedlot. sites for increased perfor-
These strategies include: sults on their operations. A to weaning vaccines. mance
1) Build a herd health protocol withdrawal period has not 5) Use intranasal vaccines Prior to turnout, cattle
been established for some
Your veterinarian can play products in pre-ruminating in calves to maximize im- should be effectively de-
wormed to help eliminate
an important role in helping calves. Do not use in calves mune response
you identify the pathogens to be processed for veal. For Intranasal vaccines pro- continued on page 29
and disease challenges that complete information, refer
have the most significant ef- to product labels.
fect in your area. Work with More than 30 years later, we are still
them to build a health proto- 3) Vaccinate cows for in the saddle, riding with Midwest
col specific to the animals in breeding success Cattleman and wishing everyone
your herd. They will provide In order to achieve max- good health and prosperous times
sound recommendations on imum reproductive protec-
cow vaccinations to optimize tion, producers should vacci- ahead.
conception and prevent abor- nate cows five to eight weeks
tion. In calves, the primary before rebreeding. This helps We too are livestock producers. We
herd health protocols should protect against viral and will all get through this as it’s “not our first rodeo.”
focus on prevention of re- bacterial pathogens that can
spiratory disease. As part of reduce fertility or trigger When you are ready to set up those feed & water
your herd health protocol, abortions. Combination vac- systems…we will be here!
bulls should also be vaccinat- cines achieve the necessary
ed and tested for trichomoni- protection in one dose.
asis. 4) Vaccinate calves to com- Till then, take care, love your family, and let the virus find
2) Implant calves for in- bat viral and bacterial dis- us busy caring for our homes, our livestock and working
creased weight gain eases the best we can every day!
To increase weaning Protecting calves against
weights by 20 to 25 pounds respiratory diseases is es- ~From the folks at The Concrete Works
(lb.) per calf, producers should sential for a successful fall
consider implanting calves. marketing program. Both vi-
For an investment of approx- ruses and bacterial diseases
imately $1.50 per head, im- can significantly affect calf
plants result in a $30 to $40 performance. The biggest
increase in calf value in to- concerns are infectious bo-
day’s market. During the last vine rhinotracheitis (IBR),
50 years, implants have been bovine viral diarrhea (BVD),
used in cow-calf herds to yield bovine respiratory syncytial
higher weaning weights. In virus (BRSV), and pneumo-
these five decades since in- nia caused by Mannheimia
troduction in the market- haemolytica or Pasteurella THE CONCRETE WORKS LLC
place, producers have bene- multocida. By properly vac-
fited from implanting ease, cinating in the spring, calves 877-464-7575
flexibility and consistent re- are ready to respond rapidly www.theconcreteworks.com