With tighter profit margins, cattle producers are looking for well-designed and implemented vaccination programs to ensure higher returns on their investment. Spring vaccination programs that protect calves from viral infectious diseases are one way in which producers can ensure healthier cattle and better returns.
“Spring vaccination programs for calves on the ranch or being sold to backgrounders or feedlot operations are a producer’s best insurance against major viral diseases,” states Dr. Gary Etherington of Northern Vet Services, Dewberry, Alberta.
Feedlot operators that have lost calves or received calves from a producer that were plagued by disease will either not buy from that producer the next time or will offer to pay less money for their calves – and news travels fast.
“Reputation is everything. For a few extra dollars, producers assure their reputation in the industry is positive,” Dr. Etherington says. “Springtime vaccinations preweaning starts protection earlier in the life of the animal, before they head off to feedlots. It’s the best move a producer can make to ensure they are putting out the best calves they can.”
Kevin Woods has seen first hand how spring vaccination can significantly improve the health of his herd and his bottom line. Woods operates a 1,000-head cow/calf operation in Moosamin, Saskatchewan and purchases another 2,500 calves each year to fill his feedlot operation.
“After introducing a spring vaccination program, we went from more than a half a dozen calves lost to summer pneumonia to only one this year,” says Woods. “It’s a good, solid investment to make. Healthier calves play a major role in influencing my bottom line.”
Spring vaccination not only means less animal loss due to disease, but also provides peace of mind for feedlot operators as the overall risk and incremental costs to the feedlot operation is greatly reduced.
“Calves that have been vaccinated in the spring are definitely worth more to the feedlot operation,” says Woods. “I think it will become an expectation in the industry. I’m confident that buyers will increasingly concentrate on buying calves that are spring vaccinated to reduce their overall risk and, in turn, will pay less for calves that have not been through the program.”
For producers, spring vaccination can be one of the best opportunities to prevent major viral diseases. Application of spring vaccinations during optimal timing of two to six weeks before weaning is assurance to preventing summer pneumonia and reduced weight gains. Keeping diseases in check will be a rancher’s best bet for ensuring a healthy herd each season.
Spring calf vaccination prior to weaning, a straightforward way to ensure herd health and safeguard your investment.