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…  

Posted in Health

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?

Posted in Health

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

Posted in Health

Adjusting for Cold Weather

Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

A few years ago, I used to smile a little when my wife complained that our house was too cold at 64°. Now I find myself sneaking over to the thermostat and bumping it up a couple degrees. It is easy for us to know when we are cold but how do we know when livestock are cold? In some situations, it is easy to see, such as if they are hunched up and shivering. Often it is hard to tell when they are cold. Their comfort range is not the same as ours.

Research has shown that below a certain point, our grazing animals will increase their metabolism to produce heat. This maintains body functions such as rumination and keeps the animal comfortable. To meet the needs of increased metabolism, the animal will consume more feed. How much extra feed they can consume is related to the Continue reading Adjusting for Cold Weather

Cold Stress and Beef Cows

– Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist, retired

Factors that create stress during the winter months are cold, wind, snow, rain and mud. The primary effect on animals is due to temperature. All these factors alter the maintenance energy requirement of livestock. Maintenance requirement can be defined, as the nutrients required for keeping an animal in a state of balance so that body substance is neither gained or lost. An interesting thing to note is that while energy requirements increase, protein requirements remain the same.

Some published sources contain nutrient requirements for beef cattle that include guidelines for adjusting rations during winter weather. Even without published sources, competent livestock producers realize the need for more feed during cold weather. Make sure that Continue reading Cold Stress and Beef Cows

When should we be concerned about Vitamin A supplementation?

– Lawton Stewart, Ph.D., Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia

Are your cattle getting enough Vitamin A this winter?

Vitamins are a unique dietary component for beef cattle and are categorized into two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Bacteria in the rumen synthesize water-soluble vitamins (e.g. B12, thiamin, niacin). Therefore, supplementation is generally not needed as long as the rumen if functioning properly. This leaves the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Of these, Vitamin A is considered the most important when feeding cattle.

What is Vitamin A and why is it important?
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a compound that is essential for growth, reproduction, maintenance of body tissue, and bone development. Technically, Vitamin A is not . . .

Continue reading When should we be concerned about Vitamin A supplementation?

Dealing with Cold Calves

Dr. John Yost, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Wayne County, Ohio State University Extension

I can’t say for sure, but I imagine that any cow-calf producer would trade frozen ground for mud.  The downside of frozen ground and newborn calves is the chance for hypothermia.  Cows aren’t stupid.  When the weather turns cold the herd will congregate where it is dry and sheltered.  Those cows that come into labor and look to isolate themselves are often left to go to the worst spot of the field to drop their calf. The sight of a new calf stretched out in a wet hole, will knot up your stomach and you know it is going to be a long night trying to get it warmed back up.

Newborn calves don’t benefit from heat generated by the rumen fermentation that helps their mother weather cold temperatures.  When air temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, a calf is reliant on metabolic heat from the small fat reserves that are deposited prior to birth.  When a calf is born into an extreme cold environment, their normal 18-hour energy reserve can be quickly exhausted through shivering, leading to hypothermia.

A calf’s normal body temperature at birth should be Continue reading Dealing with Cold Calves

Ionophore Toxicosis in Beef Cattle – Frequently Asked Questions

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

Heart and lungs from a cow with heart failure due to ionophore toxicosis. The lungs have a wet appearance compatible with pulmonary edema. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Janes, UKVDL.

Ionophores – what are they and why are they used?
Ionophores are feed additives utilized in the beef industry since 1975 as growth promoting agents and for control of coccidiosis. The approved ionophores for use in cattle in the US include monensin (Rumensin® – Elanco Animal Health; Monovet®90 – Huvepharma), lasalocid (Bovatec® – Zoetis) and laidlomycin propionate (Cattlyst® – Zoetis). Although all ionophores act similarly, this article will focus primarily on monensin as far more information is available due to its longstanding and widespread use in the beef industry.

Technically, monensin is a “monovalent carboxylic polyether ionophore antibiotic” produced by the fungus Streptomyces cinnamonensis. Ionophores are so named because they carry (the Latin root “phor” means carry) “ions” across normally impervious biological membranes, leading to disruption of normal cellular functions and cell death. When properly fed, ionophores beneficially alter the normal rumen microflora (bacteria, protozoa and fungi), resulting in increased efficiency of energy metabolism and improved nitrogen metabolism. In addition, monensin changes the ratio of volatile fatty acids in the rumen, increasing propionic acid production and reducing butyric and acetic acids, a change that ultimately provides more energy through increased production of glucose. Monensin is specifically labeled in beef cattle for 1) improved feed efficiency in mature beef cattle and cattle fed in confinement for slaughter; 2) increased rate of weight gain in stockers, feeders and replacement heifers; and 3) the prevention and control of coccidiosis in all classes of cattle (except veal calves) caused by Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii. In addition to its label claims, feeding monensin to cattle is known to Continue reading Ionophore Toxicosis in Beef Cattle – Frequently Asked Questions

Livestock Water Development

– Mark Landefeld, Extension Educator (retired), Agricultural and Natural Resources, Monroe County and Jeff Bettinger, Lead District Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service

The tank should hold a minimum of 25% of the daily herd requirement and allow 5 to 10% of the animals to drink at one time.

Many factors need to be considered when developing watering sources for livestock. Adequate amounts of water are needed to maintain high levels of production. Limiting water intake reduces animal performance quicker and more drastically than any other nutrient deficiency (Boyles). Improving springs or seeps by excavating, cleaning, capping or providing a collection and storage area improves the distribution of water and preserves water quality.

The Water Trough or Tank
The trough or tank should have adequate capacity to meet the requirements of all livestock. This should include the stor age volume necessary for carry-over between periods of replenishment. The trough or tank, when installed, should be . . .

Continue reading the OSU Extension Fact Sheet Livestock Water Development