Cow-Calf Herd Health Program

A good herd health program consists of an immunization program and an internal and external parasite control program. Your herd immunization program is not only for where your calves are raised before they are weaned but also for where they are going after you sell them or were you have them fed-out. Vaccination is the physical process of inoculating a vaccine into an animal. However, it does not imply an immune response has occurred and that disease will be prevented. Immunization is the process of vaccinating an animal, and the animal responds with a detectable immune response. An effective vaccination program is also a very important marketing tool for your calves. The following vaccination programs should have the highest probability of establishing lifetime immunity in your calves and cowherd for the common viral and bacterial diseases in South Carolina. Use combination vaccines to minimize the number of injections whenever possible. Deworming frequency may be increased by intensive grazing programs or drought conditions resulting in overgrazing conditions. These are general recommendations for an effective, comprehensive herd health program for cowcalf operations. Producers should consult with their veterinarian to customize a herd health program for their particular operation including how to treat sick animals.

Any pregnant cows that have not been vaccinated against IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV should not have fence line contact with replacement heifers, stockers and calves being preconditioned that have been vaccinated with MLV vaccines. Abortions could result. To prevent such a problem, groups of open, non-vaccinated cows should be vaccinated with a modified live virus (MLV) IBRPI3- BVD-BRSV vaccine for 2 consecutive years. These vaccinated cows would need to be separated by a least 2 fences from the bred, non-vaccinated cows until all cows have been vaccinated.

Calves - Preweaning Option

Vaccinations

Intranasal IBR-PI3 - Modified Live Vaccine (MLV)

IBR - Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis

PI3 - Parainfluenza 3

5-way Leptospirosis

Canicola-Grippo-Hardjo-Ictero-Pomona strains

7-way Blackleg (Clostridials)

Clostridium Chauvoei-Septicum-Novyi-Sordellii and Perfringens Types B, C & D Bacterin Toxoids

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

Vaccinations

Intranasal IBR-PI3 - Modified Live Vaccine (MLV)

5-way Leptospirosis

7-way Blackleg (Clostridials)

Other Possible Vaccinations - may be recommended by your veterinarian or required by your buyers

Calfhood Brucellosis vaccination (4-8 months-old) - All replacement heifers by veterinarian

Pasteurella haemolytica + Pasteurella multocida - Containing leukotoxoid component

- a booster at weaning may be required

Haemophilus somnus - Requires a booster at weaning

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

At Weaning - Replacement Heifers & Calves being Preconditioned or Stockered

Vaccinations

IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV - MLV

BVD - Bovine Viral Diahrea

BRSV - Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Most products require a booster vaccination 3-4 weeks later

There are some new products which do not require a booster

Calves - Weaning Option

About 3 Months-Old

Vaccinations

Intranasal IBR-PI3 - Modified Live Vaccine (MLV)

5-way Leptospirosis

7-way Blackleg (Clostridials)

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

At Weaning - Replacement Heifers & Calves being Preconditioned or Stockered

Vaccinations

IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV - MLV

5-way Leptospirosis

7-way Blackleg (Clostridials)

Other Possible Vaccinations - may be recommended by your veterinarian or required by your buyers

Calfhood Brucellosis vaccination (4-8 months-old)

Pasteurella haemolytica haemolytica + Pasteurella multocida - Containing leukotoxoid component

- a booster at weaning may be required

Haemophilus somnus - Requires a booster at weaning

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

Yearling Replacement Heifers Option

60-days Before Start of Breeding Season

Vaccinations

IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV - MLV

5-way Leptospirosis

Vibriosis (Campylobacterosis)

30-days Before Start of Breeding Season

Vaccinations

5-way Leptospirosis

Vibriosis (Campylobacterosis)

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

Cows & Herd Bulls

30-days Before Start of Breeding Season

Vaccinations

5-way Leptospirosis

Vibriosis (Campylobacterosis)

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

September-October

Deworm

Treat for grubs, lice and/or flies

January-February

Treat for lice

April-May

Deworm

Begin fly control program

If fly tags are used, do not be put in until May and take out in fall

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