A vaccination strategy for newborn, and calves under 4 months of age

Many health challenges on the farm can be avoided with a proper whole herd health management program. With calving season upon us, its a good time to review the calf health concerns that might be avoided by following a proper herd health management program.

During the third session of the 2022 Virtual Beef School held on Monday, March 21st Dr. Justin Kieffer, Clinical Veterinarian for the Department of Animal Sciences at OSU, offered a beef herd health management update. Specifically, embedded below is what Dr. Kieffer had to say about vaccination protocols for newborn and young calves. You will find Dr. Kieffer’s presentation on whole herd health in its entirety here:    • A whole herd beef cattle health manag…  

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Scours Vaccines*: What are the Options?

– Dr. Michelle Arnold – DVM, MPH UK Ruminant Extension Veterinarian

“Neonatal” calf diarrhea is defined as scours occurring within the first 3 weeks of a calf’s life. Viruses (rotavirus, coronavirus), certain bacteria (E. coli K99; Clostridium perfringens Types A and C, Salmonella spp.) and the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum are the most common causes in beef cattle operations. Controlling rotavirus, coronavirus, Clostridium perfringens Type C, and E. coli K99 scours through vaccination can significantly reduce calf sickness and death loss when given correctly. Scours vaccines are formulated to be given to pregnant cows and heifers during the third trimester of gestation so they will make the specific antibodies against the pathogens that cause diarrhea while colostrum is being formed. It is important to remember that scours vaccines given to pregnant cattle will only work if an adequate amount of good quality colostrum is consumed by her newborn calf within the first 12 hours (preferably the first 6 hours) of life. If unable to vaccinate the pregnant females in the herd, a variety of products can be given to newborn calves to help reduce the risk of sickness and death from scours as well.

The three most popular vaccines available for use in pregnant cattle are ScourBos®9 and 4 (Elanco), ScourGuard®4KC (Zoetis) and Guardian® (Merck). The first time scours vaccines are used, a two-shot series must be given in the third trimester of pregnancy consisting of a first or “primary dose” followed by a booster dose. After the first year, just one annual revaccination in late gestation is required every year throughout the cow’s reproductive life. Vaccination timing is critical to stimulating and optimizing antibodies in colostrum. If cows are vaccinated too early in pregnancy, the antibody response may start to fall off prior to the colostrum being made. Vaccinating too late and the colostrum may already be produced before an antibody response is mounted. Which product is chosen often depends on when cattle will be worked; Scour Bos® is administered earlier during pregnancy, ScourGuard® is used latest in gestation and Guardian® is in-between these two options. Obviously not all calves will be born the first week of calving season but plan to give the scours vaccine based on when the first calves of the season are expected. Consider administering an additional dose to those females who have not calved within 2 months of receiving their scours vaccine.

Table 1: Retrieved from : https://firstdefensecalfhealth.com/dual-force-bolus-gel/

It takes some planning to vaccinate correctly; timing is critically Continue reading Scours Vaccines*: What are the Options?

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Cattle Prices Hit New Highs to Start 2025

– Josh Maples, Assistant Professor & Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

2024 was such a strong year for cattle prices that it left many folks wondering whether 2025 could start with the strength often seen during the first few months of the year. Calf prices typically rise seasonally during the first few months of the year and, so far, 2025 is no exception. 500-600 pound #1-2 steers in Oklahoma City are at $334 per CWT this week, up roughly $20 since the first week of January. For fed cattle, the 5-market average hit $203.67 last week which was the third consecutive record-high weekly average.


Calf markets typically rally early in the year. It is a normal part of the seasonal patterns of this market. Over the past 8 years, the average price of Continue reading Cattle Prices Hit New Highs to Start 2025

Placements Below Expectations in January Cattle-on-Feed Report

– Dr. Kenny Burdine, Extension Professor, Livestock Marketing, University of Kentucky

The January Cattle on Feed report was released on Friday afternoon. Total on-feed inventory to start the year was estimated at a little over 11.8 million head, which is down by just under 1% from January of 2024. Despite the fact that feeder cattle supplies have been lower, feedlot inventories ran above year-ago levels for eight of twelve months in 2024 as lower feed prices encouraged longer feeding times. While I don’t want to read too much into it, this was the largest year-over-year decline since May.


Placements (chart above) were once again the headliner of the report as they came in below, and outside the Continue reading Placements Below Expectations in January Cattle-on-Feed Report

Headcounts aren’t everything: Understanding the full impact of cattle inventories

– Rob Ziegler, Extension Specialist, College of Agriculture, Life Science and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming

The January 31st USDA Cattle Inventory Report may be the most anticipated report of the year, especially since the July Inventory Report has been eliminated. The January report will provide headcounts of all major classes of cattle, including heifers kept as replacements, which may indicate producer intentions to rebuild the national cow herd. One of the primary drivers of market price through the supply chain over the last several years can be attributed to the lowest beef cow herd inventory in decades. While the inventory report is a valuable resource for evaluating the state of the beef industry, it’s important to remember what the report doesn’t cover: total beef production.

The Livestock Marketing Information Center compiles and analyses data from USDA-NASS to give an indication of how much beef is produced per beef cow each year. From 1999 through 2024, estimates indicate each cow produces Continue reading Headcounts aren’t everything: Understanding the full impact of cattle inventories

Cattle in a Cold Snap

Haley Shoemaker, OSU Extension AGNR Educator, Columbiana and Mahoning Counties

While I’m not sure the “if you’re cold, they’re cold – bring your animals inside” concept originated with cattle in mind, cold snaps like we’re experiencing now tend to bring out the misconception that keeping cattle sheltered is synonymous with keeping cattle warm. In reality, cattle are designed with the capability to endure the winter’s cold, as long as we as producers provide them with the necessary means to keep their metabolic processes running and keep cold stress at bay.

Give Your Cattle the Tools They Need

Out of the Wind
You’ve probably caught yourself before stating that “if it weren’t for the wind, it wouldn’t feel so cold”, and the same goes for cattle.  In bouts of extreme weather, access to a windbreak can determine whether Continue reading Cattle in a Cold Snap

Update on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Germany

Gustavo M. Schuenemann, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Oho State University

If traveling outside the US, take steps to help prevent bringing back FMD.

On January 10, 2025, Germany announced an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in water buffalos near Berlin. This is first FMD outbreak since 1988. The National Reference Laboratory for FMD, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut in Germany, has pinpointed the virus serotype O responsible for the recent outbreak.

What is FMD?
FMD is a severe, fast spreading viral disease affecting cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and other animals with divided hooves. Most infected animals survive, but FMD causes significant losses in milk and meat productivity, as well as economic impact due to the closure of export markets. FMD was first discovered in the United States in 1870 and eradicated 1929.

What is the source of the FMD outbreak?
The exact origin and route of entry into Germany is still unknown. The FMD virus serotype O has been found in Continue reading Update on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Germany

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Cow/Calf Workshop set for February 7 in Millersburg

Reserve your spot today!

Ohio State University Extension will offer a Cow/ Calf workshop in Millersburg, Ohio, at Paint Valley Farms on Friday, February 7, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The cost is $15 per person, and to RSVP, please call the Holmes County Extension Office at 330-674-3015.

Reproduction and genetics are important factors for a cow-calf operation. The Long-term investment in genetics plays a critical role in developing and managing a herd to ensure longevity. Join OSU Extension in Holmes County to discuss and demonstrate the practices that you might apply on your farm to improve your operation by optimizing reproduction and cow-calf profitability.

Topics covered will include breeding season management, post-drought Continue reading Cow/Calf Workshop set for February 7 in Millersburg

Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to Meet in Reynoldsburg

Make plans to attend February 7.

The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council will be hosting their Annual Meeting on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at The Ohio Department of Agriculture (8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg OH 43068). This meeting serves as an opportunity to interact with forage growers of all backgrounds and interests and share with each other. Along with socialization you can listen to intriguing presentations, interact with vendors of forage growing supplies, and enjoy a delicious lunch.

The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council is Ohio’s commodity organization for pasture and hay crops. The Ohio State University partners closely with the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to support forage education, research, and outreach throughout the state. It is the only organization of its kind, bringing together farmers, conservationists, academics, industry representatives, and service personnel into a shared environment to converse and build relationships that lead to more productive forage and Continue reading Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to Meet in Reynoldsburg

Beef 509 back in 2025 in a New Format

Beef 509 returns in new “regional” format.

The Ohio Beef Council and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation in partnership with the Stockyards Packing Company will hold the BEEF 509 program in a new regional format in 2025. The program will take place in Southwestern Ohio on two Saturdays Feb. 22 and March 1 at the Stockyards Packing Company, 6365 College Corner Pike, Oxford, Ohio 45056.

BEEF 509 is an educational program designed to teach cattle producers about the food side of their business and how to utilize best management practices to improve beef quality and enhance profitability while learning about value within the beef chain.

Topics to be covered include Continue reading Beef 509 back in 2025 in a New Format