We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
When Kee Jim talks, people in the cattle world listen. He has spent a decades-long career refuting the notion that a jack of all trades is the master of none, offering his extensive expertise to help feedlot operators become as efficient and profitable as possible.
The following information will help you give the right vaccine to the right animal at the right dose, allowing the vaccine to work as intended. Giving mishandled vaccines to your cattle will not provide the disease protection you expect.
The path to economic success for cow-calf producers often hinges on the ability to develop healthy herds that are resilient to common management and disease challenges.
In my 25 years as a cattle veterinarian, I’ve seen the impact of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) – the most prevalent and costly challenge facing North American cattle producers – in many operations.
To give your calves the best chance right out of the gate, pay attention to prenatal nutrition and herd health, and have your post-birth care in place.
Ranchers have so much invested in the genetics and in the long process of getting that live calf on the ground that we want to do everything we can to protect that investment. Let’s look at how to give our young calves the best possible start.
A persistently infected calf occurs when BVD infects a fetus during pregnancy. These calves will not be able to mount an immune response to kill the virus at any point in their lives and will shed the virus, endangering the other cattle around them.
Rotavirus is a common enteric pathogen resulting in dangerous dehydration due to its effect on the intestinal lining. Treatment should focus on correcting the loss of fluids and electrolytes, while effective prevention measures include biosecurity and vaccination protocols.
Many cow-calf producers can relate to the frustration and challenges associated with scours, or diarrhea in baby calves. The typical and very reasonable questions to ask would include, “What is causing the problem?” and “How do we address it?”
It’s time to make plans for processing weaning-aged calves. Producers have many choices to make, including vaccinations, implant options and deworming strategies.
And just like that, it’s time for fall processing. Let’s look closely at what we’ll need to give our weaning-aged calves a leg up on their next stage of life, starting with vaccination strategy, implants and deworming.