Page 16 - MWC 8-11-2022s

The Pre-weaning, Summer The Midwest Cattleman · August 11, 2022 · P16

Pneumonia Puzzle: How to
Best Protect Your Calves

By Paige Carlson
Why do some of your best also often associated with
looking, five-plus month old Coronavirus, which contrib-
calves end up with summer utes to traditional bovine re-
or pre-weaning pneumonia? spiratory disease (BRD).
The answer has been “One in five herds will have
sought by cattle ranchers for a problem with pre-weaning
years. BRD, and within those herds,
In many cases, these calves about 15% max of the calves
would not be considered are affected,” says Dr. Brad
‘high-risk,’ as the calves are White of KSU.
still with their mother and Vaccination Age and Type
are not undergoing stress of
As many calves receive
a changing environment, diet their first respiratory vac-
or location. Yet, an outbreak
may occur. cine at a young age, Larson Photo by Paige Carlson.
explains the effectiveness is
Though a specific cause
is yet to be determined, Dr. less than that of older ani- Why do some of the best calves catch a cough, known as summer pneumonia? K-State
mals.
experts discuss the disease and what ranchers can do to best mitigate an outbreak in
Bob Larson of Kansas State their herd.
University (KSU) explains “So, that animal, by the
his thoughts on why these time he's seven or eight that may increase chances your herd, ensuring colos-
events occur on a recent KSU months of age, he'll have a your calves contract pneu- trum intake at birth, vacci-
Beef Cattle Institute podcast. nearly adult type of response monia. nation and mitigating out-
to vaccines, which is what we
Some risk factors include: side risk factors are some of
Colostrum want, a really good response. •Exposure to outside the best management prac-
As calves age, the protec- When he's really young, at calves, like stockers tices to protect against an
tion from colostrum declines. two months of age, we don't •Grazing next to other outbreak this summer.
Yet, these four to six-month- tend to see as good of a re- herds Drovers
old calves are young enough sponse but it's not zero,” he Though there is no magic
and have not yet developed says. solution to preventing
their own immunity to some Though not 100% effective, pre-weaning pneumonia in
of the viruses and bacteria vaccines at any age might
that can cause respiratory be the best tool for mitigat- 6 1 0 1 0 2 , 0 3 r e b m e t p e S n a m e l t t a C t s e w d i M e h T
disease, Larson explains. ing the risk against summer
BSE Clinic Time
This also validates the pneumonia.
reason as to why some of the
However, keep in mind,
biggest, oldest calves are af- “not all vaccines are the same,
By Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension
fected. Their protection from both with what they contain,
We’ve scheduled four clinics of cows keep coming back in progeny differences (EPDs) and
Has your bull had a breeding
colostrum is furthest re- viruses or bacteria, and then
soundness exam (BSE) since where you can get your bulls heat. There are no other out- breeding programs or whatever
moved.
type, modified live or killed,”
you pulled him from the breed- completely examined, given ward signs of trich in the bull is on your mind. Ed Trotter with
As ‘frustrating’ as this White notes. “Work with your
ing pasture this summer? Fer- parasite control treatment and or cow for that matter. Pfizer will be at some of the clin-
problem can be in cow-calf veterinarian to come up with ics with information on their
tility and breeding ability can vaccinated and be ready to turn
herds, Larson says, “it doesn’t a plan that works for your Here are the dates and loca- DNA evaluation program.
out if everything checks out
fluctuate in bulls from year-to-
really act like traditional re- operation.” Call the above veterinary of-
year and season-to-season. If okay. In addition, if you’d like, tions of our fall clinics.
spiratory disease. We certain- fices for your appointment time.
you’ve preg checked your cows they can check your bull for the
ly don’t see it as commonly Outside Risk Factors October 11 - Barry County Vet Of course, there’s a limit to the
and found several open, it just sexually transmitted disease,
Another piece of the puzzle
and it’s not very predictable.” to consider are risk factors number of bulls the clinics can
might be cause to check him trichomoniasis. Trich is on the Services, Cassville
out. Summer pneumonia is rise in this part of the world. It’s Contact: Dr. Voyd Brown, 847- accept so you may need to pick a
suspected when a large number 2677 different time and/or a different
veterinarian. It’s just important
Buffalo Livestock Market Clinic, Billings A survey of cow-calf farms in
October 12 - Kent Veterinary to have your bulls checked out.
Contact Dr. Harvey Kent, 744- 24 states in 2008 showed that
2222 about 25% do a semen evalua-
Special Cattle Sale Special Sheep
tion on their bulls before turn-
Vaccinated Every Stock Cow & October 13 - Dake Veterinary out. I doubt if we’re that high
Watch our Goat Sale
Cattle Saturday sale live on the & Bull Sale Clinic, Miller in southwest Missouri. The
Internet at
Sale 12:00 Noon www.CattleUSA.com Contact: Dr. Chuck Dake, 452- October BSE clinics in the past
3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday 3301 few years have found more prob-
2nd Sat. of Selling all classes
Each Month of cattle lems with bulls than the clinics
October 14 - Countryside Ani- in March. Hot weather could
mal Clinic, Aurora be more of a problem than cold
Lyle Caselman - Owner-Manager: 417-345-7876 • Mobile: 417-533-2944 Contact: Dr. Mike Bloss, 678- when it comes to bull fertility. It
Leon Caselman - Owner: 417-345-4514 • Mobile: 417-588-6185 4011 could even be from fescue toxins
Call Lyle or Leon to find out what we can do for you: consumed or a combination of
Danny Cross 417-576-5461 • John Sanwald 417-588-9113 • Bobby Cole 573-674-3131 Besides the BSE, I will be at factors.
the clinics to answer questions,
Barn 417-345-8122 discuss bull sales, expected

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