Stocker cattle vaccination program

Detrimental effects on animal welfare might be deduced from the altered feeding behavior, reduced resting time and increased aggression. Calves from the Southeast part of the U. Data from a total of 27, feeder calves from 15 states fed in 10 Iowa feedlots over six years were used to evaluate the effect of calf origin on feedlot performance and carcass traits.

Numbers of calves from each region were 18, and 9, from SE and M, respectively. Morbidity rates, treatment costs and mortality rates for SE and M calves were The percentage of Prime, Choice, Select and Standard carcasses did not differ significantly between regions. However, a significantly higher percentage of SE vs. M calves Home Livestock Vaccines Vaccination timing and stocker cattle.

Vaccination timing and stocker cattle. TAGS: Livestock. AABP develops cattle vaccination guidelines for members. Concerns expressed on USDA employees' vaccine mandate. Weak colour development due to the inhibition of the monoclonal antibody binding to the antigen on the solid phase indicates the presence of BTV antibodies in sample sera.

Blood samples corresponding to the sampling times before and after the seroconversion occurred were analyzed by reverse transcription-nested PCR RT-nPCR [ 45 , 46 ]. All analyses were performed using Stata SE Stocastic modelling Monte Carlo simulations was performed using Risk 7.

All authors contributed equally to this work. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

The farmers delivered verbal consent to implement the cross-sectional survey and the longitudinal study. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Pathogens v.

Published online Nov 6. Find articles by Euclides De la Torre. Find articles by Alex Maldonado. Find articles by Silvia Pachacama. Find articles by Jorge Espinoza.

Andrew Byrne, Academic Editor. Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Received Sep 26; Accepted Nov 1. Abstract Bluetongue BT is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides Diptera: Ceratopogonidae to domestic and wild ruminants.

Introduction Bluetongue BT is an infectious, non-contagious disease caused by bluetongue virus BTV , which is transmitted to domestic and wild ruminants by vectors [ 1 ]. Results 2. Open in a separate window. Longitudinal Study In the longitudinal study, all sentinel calves were viremic and subsequently seroconverted Table 2. Table 2 Weeks post-arrival that the sentinel calves became viremic and seroconverted in the longitudinal study.

Figure 1. Discussion A high true animal prevalence was evidenced in the survey area. Conclusions The cross-sectional survey allowed us to obtain preliminary epidemiological information on the presence and circulation of BTV in Ecuador. Materials and Methods 5.

Figure 2. Longitudinal Study with Animal Sentinels Six of the farms investigated in the serological survey were selected as locations to place sentinel calves orange dots in Figure 2 [ 41 ]. Author Contributions M. Informed Consent Statement The farmers delivered verbal consent to implement the cross-sectional survey and the longitudinal study.

Data Availability Statement Not applicable. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. References 1. Gibbs E. The epidemiology of bluetongue. Maan S. Full-genome sequencing as a basis for molecular epidemiology studies of bluetongue virus in India. Bumbarov V. Detection and isolation of Bluetongue virus from commercial vaccine batches.

Sun E. Emergence of a novel bluetongue virus serotype, China Jenckel M. Complete coding genome sequence of putative novel bluetongue virus serotype Genome Announc. Ries C. Maclachlan N. The Pathology and Pathogenesis of Bluetongue. Martinelle L. Later, at least IU of vitamin E with 0. Supplementation of B vitamins such as niacin has also been shown to improve performance of stressed calves.

Daily niacin supplementation of ppm for healthy calves and ppm for sick calves can be beneficial. Health problems can occur in calves when diet energy content is either too high or too low. Low-energy diets may reduce immune function. High-energy diets can also contribute to health problems, but hay supplementation of high-energy diets for 3—7 days can alleviate these problems.

Hay offered to calves should be good-quality grass hay. Stressed calves have a very low tolerance for fat in the diet.

Receiving diet fat content should not go over 4 percent of the dietary dry matter. Commonly used feedstuffs containing relatively high fat levels include whole cottonseed, dried distillers grains, and rice bran unless it has been defatted. Reduced feed intake and scours can be expected with excessive fat supplementation. Some feedstuffs are better for stressed calves than others. Stressed calves do not respond to non-protein nitrogen urea in the diet as well as nonstressed calves.

Some suggestions are that increasing rumen bypass protein supplies can increase performance of stressed calves, but research results are mixed. Soybean meal is generally considered a much better source of rumen bypass protein than cottonseed meal. Avoid heat-damaged feeds for stressed calves, because they may have reduced levels of protein available for the animals to use.

Another feed-related factor to consider when receiving stocker calves is that newly arrived calves often prefer dry feeds over wet feeds, such as silages. However, calves will adapt to high levels of high-moisture feeds such as corn silage in 1—2 weeks. Good management can help newly arrived calves get on feed as quickly as possible.

Calves initially walk the boundaries of their new pens searching for a way to escape. Therefore, calves find water and hay easier if they are placed around the fences.

Using trainer or lead cattle to show newly arrived calves the locations of feed and water can also be effective. Adequate bunk or trough space is another important consideration in receiving pens. Timid calves may not receive sufficient shares of feed if bunk space is limiting. At least 12 linear inches of bunk space per head is recommended for incoming cattle. A good guideline is to provide 18 to 24 linear inches of bunk space per calf.

This limits crowding at the bunk and allows timid cattle more of an opportunity to feed. Feed cattle approximately the same time each day to establish a routine, consistent eating time. Twice-a-day feedings can be worthwhile the first 2—3 weeks of the receiving period for highly stressed, young, or lightweight cattle. Sick calves may be slow to come to the feed bunk, so it is useful to observe feeding behavior to help identify potential health problems.

Clean feed and water troughs before calf arrival and then closely monitor troughs. Remove any moldy feed, fines, chunks of caked or damaged feed, manure, or trash from feed supplies offered to calves. Finally, implement diet changes gradually after receiving.

Young, stressed calves from multiple sources that have already been exposed to a multitude of infectious agents pose a challenge to the stocker operation. A good health program starts with close adherence to management advice on nutrition, facility design, and care outlined throughout this publication.

Specific disease prevention and treatment protocols should be designed for each operation based on management, the type of cattle purchased, and goals. Characterize or divide calves into two groups: low or high risk. A low-risk group might be from a known source, castrated, dehorned, with some exposure to vaccination a preweaning health program , or even physically thrifty calves that might lack previous treatments but are from a nearby location farm fresh.

High risk implies commingled calves with extensive exposure to disease, stressful conditions such as extended travel or inclement weather , and perhaps poor physical condition.

Basic health recommendations or general guidelines are appropriate for most stocker cattle operations, but there is no perfect treatment or vaccine.

In addition, poor timing or improper administration can make many vaccines and treatments ineffective. Many calves, specifically high-risk calves, are sick or at least incubating a disease at arrival.

Although their treatment is important, it is much more important to decrease disease exposure to other cattle. Clinically ill calves shed high numbers of pathogens disease-causing agents at arrival. If new both healthy and sick calves are arriving over days or weeks, exposure to disease can be continual.

Because of this, it is a good idea to limit the time frame for putting a group of calves together. The all-in, all-out schemes commonly used in poultry and swine operations are best but rarely possible. Most efforts are, instead, aimed at reducing the spread of disease and lowering its impact. Health risks cannot be eliminated.

Unless cattle have traveled a long distance, process them immediately upon arrival. In the case of calves hauled long distances, allow them to rest, drink, and eat before processing. Avoid processing cattle during extreme heat and adverse weather conditions. Minimize stress during processing by removing dogs, electric prods, and loud noises from the calf processing area.

Follow Beef Quality Assurance guidelines with respect to vaccine or medicine handling and injection technique.

Injury to the tissues at the injection site from improper vaccine handling or administration can impact absorption of an antibiotic or effectiveness of a vaccine. For high-risk cattle, perform all of the above. Additionally, consider the following based on veterinary advice:.

Early recognition of sick calves is important because they expose others to disease and because treatment success is better the earlier in the disease process it occurs. Cattle do not make this easy, because it is their instinct to stay with and blend in with the herd. The best time to watch calves is around feeding time.

Identify sick calves, sort them out, and move them to the hospital pen Figure 6. This area should allow easy, stress-free treatment, with good access to feed and water. Good recordkeeping is essential. If calves appear sick exhibit nasal discharge, labored breathing, or unthrifty appearance or are not eating, treat them Figure 7. Discuss with a veterinarian different treatment protocols. Most believe castration should be done at the earliest practical age because there's less stress when a calf is less than three months old.

It helps prevent physically or genetically inferior males from reproducing and ultimately improves meat quality. The method of castration can determine how well a calf performs early on. It boils down to whether the animal suffers pain early for a short time, or a milder, yet more drawn-out pain for several weeks. Thomson agrees earlier castration is the best, but many times we don't procure cattle at lbs.

That's where animal welfare recommendations from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association impact the process. The KSU study looked at seven-weight bulls, half of them knife-cut and half banded. Animals were on feed 28 days after castration. Research looked at dry matter intake DMI , average daily gain ADG and whether the local anesthetic made a performance difference.

Each animal's performance was monitored daily and summarized weekly. But after the first week, knife-cut calves began eating and gaining more, and it continued from days.