Reading Time: 3 minutes Vaccinations are a cornerstone biosecurity practice for cow-calf operations and feedlots. It is not uncommon for two or more vaccines to be given twice a year. There has been lots written about proper vaccination techniques, vaccine storage, maintaining the chain of refrigeration and other things that affect the way these vaccines perform. I want to […] Read more
Automatic syringes a better solution
Retire those old guns that have done their duty, and get better results
Leptospirosis and reproductive losses in beef cattle
While clinical cases are not common in Western Canada, detection of lepto titres in AI bulls can be a problem
Reading Time: 2 minutes Leptospirosis is rare in Western Canada. The three large pharma companies have leptospirosis vaccines, usually in combination with the standard five-way viral vaccines. They do not sell many doses, which indicates low frequency. In veterinary practice, we suspect it when we see bloody diarrhea or a high open rate or abortions. Leptospirosis titres are often […] Read more
Canada taking first step toward lifting border restrictions
U.S. border restrictions still in place until at least June 21
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Wednesday took a cautious first step toward easing COVID-19 border restrictions, saying it was prepared to relax quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated citizens returning home starting in early July. Canada’s air and land borders have allowed for only essential travel since March of last year, and Canadians coming home […] Read more
Why closed cattle herds are like unicorns
It takes extraordinary measures to truly have a closed herd, and that’s why vaccinations are needed
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Note: This article has been edited and condensed.) A surprising proportion of producers believe they run a closed herd. The 2017 Western Canadian Cow-Calf Survey found that of approximately 25 per cent of respondents who did not vaccinate their cows and heifers against reproductive diseases such as IBR and BVD, over half said their reason was because […] Read more
Calculating the bottom line on not vaccinating cows
Not vaccinating herds comes with a cost — these two calculators put a number on potential losses
Reading Time: 2 minutes (This article has been edited for length. The full version can be found in the BCRC Blog section at beefresearch.ca.) Vaccination is a proven tool for disease prevention, but in Western Canada, one in 10 producers surveyed are not vaccinating their cows for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD). As well, […] Read more
Rabies case in farm cat prompts vaccination warning
Two people were recently bit by a farm cat that likely contracted rabies from a bat
Reading Time: 2 minutes A rabid farm cat that bit its owner and another person has prompted the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to warn pet owners to vaccinate against rabies. The association said the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian received notification of the positive rabies test on Nov. 13. “This nine-year-old, indoor-outdoor cat was born and lived on a […] Read more
Vaccines made simple(r) — basics you need to know
Here are some tips to cut through the confusion and help you decide on the best protocol for your ranch
Reading Time: 4 minutes We have all been there — it’s the day before preg check, you need to get your vaccine order in, and you just can’t seem to remember what you gave the girls last year. Was it the one in the turquoise box? The white box? It was the yellow box, that’s it! You put a […] Read more
Get as much health information as you can when buying cattle
Beef 911: Producers are doing a good job of caring for their cattle but often this information is not passed on to buyers
Reading Time: 4 minutes When purchasing or selling livestock, their health status — preventive shots given, deworming, and other relevant information — can be determined by a few simple questions. But these questions are seldom asked in cattle transactions these days. With cattle being of higher value, and often traversing long distances through different geographic areas, this information is […] Read more
Preconditioning is good for the entire cattle industry
Beef 911: There are a multitude of benefits but producers need to be compensated for the extra work and risk
Reading Time: 4 minutes Older producers may remember a preconditioning program implemented by the provincial Agriculture Department in the 1980s. There were criteria for procedures and shots, while veterinarians certified that procedures such as dehorning and castrating were done properly and correct pre-immunization shots were given properly. Two categories of calves (either pre-immunized or pre-immunized and weaned a specific […] Read more
You can still get good protection by vaccinating very young calves
Beef 911: The label may say it’s not approved for young calves, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work
Reading Time: 4 minutes There has been a lot of trial work over the years regarding vaccinations of our calves and when would be the most ideal time. Immunologists would debate this but as situations on farms changed and herds got larger, trends changed. Producers no longer boostered vaccines at four to six weeks apart as was often recommended. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
