Page 13 - MWC 09-9-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · September 9, 2021 · P13
Do not let Pinkeye Decrease Efficiencies in Summer Grazing

By Connor Biehler, Nebraska Extension Educator
It is no secret that rainfall junctivitis (IBK) or pinkeye. severe, can cause blindness if address symptoms (tearing,
and humidity aid in the qual- Pinkeye is a highly conta- left untreated, and will likely squinting, and blinking) im-
ity and quantity of summer gious disease that promotes cause significant reductions mediately before exponential
forage production. However, inflammation of the cornea in performance of cattle. growth causes significant
these two factors also con- and conjunctiva portions There is a higher inci- production losses.
tribute to the fly populations. of the eye. The occurrence dence of pinkeye in calves In most scenarios, the best
Not only do large fly popu- of pinkeye increases in the as opposed to adult cattle, way to prevent an outbreak
lations cause irritation that spring and peaks in the sum- who have greater levels of is to control the flies. Fly
creates devastating produc- mer months before decreas- protective antibodies on the control comes in many forms
tion losses, but also spreads ing in the fall. The severity of surface of the eye. Calves and can include pour-ons, fly
infectious bovine keratocon- pinkeye ranges from mild to who have been plagued with tags, sprays, or dust-bags.
pinkeye will weigh as much Fly tags work best when
as 60 pounds lighter on sale administered at the proper
day, and white scars on their time. Unfortunately, this op-
eyes causes less aggressive timal time usually falls after
bidding from cattle buy- vaccinating and de-horning.
ers. Once pinkeye begins to If administered then, the ef-
spread in a herd, it can be ficacy of the fly tag will be
difficult to contain. There- compromised due to these
fore, it is highly encouraged dates usually taking place
for producers to mitigate risk 60 days prior to fly season.
factors. Face flies are attract- Many pinkeye vaccines re-
ed to the excessive tearing of quire a booster closer to fly
the eye caused by the irrita- season. This could potential-
tion. They then pick up the ly be a good time to adminis-
causative bacteria of pink- ter fly tags.
eye and begin transferring Other ways to reduce pink-
it to other animals, with the eye:
ability to infect several an- -Reduce as many risk fac-
In most scenarios, the best way to prevent a pinkeye outbreak is to control the flies. imals in the same day. Im- tors as possible that cause
Photo credit Troy Walz. portantly, producers need to continued on page 14

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