Putting together a vaccination plan for next year -

Brad Skaar, Iowa State University beef cattle production associate professor, and A.J. Tarpoff, Kansas State University extension beef veterinarian, both recommend working with your local veterinarian to figure out what is best for your herd. Tarpoff says, “Under the veterinary-client-patient-relationship [VCPR], the veterinarian and producer can discuss goals, marketing areas, risks common in the area, specific herd issues and management of those issues where vaccination can help mitigate the risk of disease.”

Kellie Gregorich

Your veterinarian is aware of the diseases in your area and vaccinations that will be most beneficial. The first step to your vaccination plan is making a call and setting up an appointment with your vet.

While putting together your plan, Skaar recommends looking at what diseases and illnesses you fought last year. This way you can discuss with your vet what you could do to help prevent these issues. Tarpoff says to also discuss your pregancy rates, abortion loss and calf mortality with your vet to establish your risk level.

Skaar and Tarpoff both comment on the fact that there isn’t one vaccination plan that fits all herds, but there are certain diseases that are vaccianted for across the country. Skaar says, “Prior to breeding season each year, we employ a full booster regime for the diseases against which we vaccinated during weaning. This is an annual booster set against BVD (in particular – as this is a bigger threat to us than other diseases in this protocol), BRSV (also a threat), PI3, mannheimia and rhinotracheitis. We also vaccinate against vibriosis – most in this area [Iowa] say we can do without this, but our vets at ISU prefer we guard against it given the mobility of our cattle. We also use pour-on (ivomec type product) too at this time.”

Tarpoff says, “From our nationwide practicing veterinarian survey, annual booster vaccine antigen recommendations for the cows include IBR, BVD types I and II, leptospirosis, PI3, BRSV and vibriosis, respectively. Herd specific risk vaccines are other common recommendations. Scour vaccines are an example of specific risk vaccines.”

The status and stage of production of your herd will determine when vaccinations need to occur. Skaar recommends vaccinating cows four weeks before breeding to give the BVD vaccine proper lead time to prevent disease. Tarpoff notes that calves should be vaccinated at 2 to 4 months old, followed by a booster 30 to 45 days prior to weaning.

Skaar points out that knowing your neighbors, knowing the effectiveness of one’s biosecurity program and having that solid conversation with your veterinarian to get the right products are key to having an effective vaccination plan. Tarpoff couldn’t agree more. He says, “It is important to understand there is no miracle in a bottle. We have some amazing vaccines on the market, but having the understanding that even well-vaccinated animals can still succumb to disease with improper management and increased pathogen load. They are a great tool to have in a whole herd health strategy. Biosecurity and reducing animal stress at key times in their lives are pivotal management strategies, both to reduce pathogen transfer and foster immune function. So having realistic expectations on what vaccines are meant to do in the big picture is an important concept to grasp.”

Not all vaccination plans are the same. Every herd is different and every need is different. Both Skaar and Tarpoff say that where you live determines what illnesses you’ll need to combat. Even though both doctors have many of the same ideas, it doesn’t mean that is what is right for your herd. This is where your local vet can really help you and predict what your herd is going to need. Your vet knows your herd and what is going to work best.