Radio Transcript
Date: April 6, 2020 Agent: Damon Pollard
This is Damon Pollard, Livestock Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Burke Center. Today’s topic is vaccinating cattle.With winter on its last legs and pastures beginning to green, cattle producers are beaming with optimism. One important aspect of production that should be focused on now, is a vaccination regime. Vaccinating your cattle against economically important disease risks can help boost productivity and your profit.
First, vaccinate against the respiratory diseases IBR, BVD, BRSV, and PI3. These are viral diseases, and the vaccine will help prevent them but not treat or cure them.
Next, producers should vaccinate against the reproductive diseases Lepto and Vibrio. These diseases affect reproductive ability in cattle, and can be nasty once they get started. Lepto is on the rise in our area, and can be carried by deer and other wildlife.
Finally, producers should always vaccinate against the clostridial disease blackleg, and others, that are soil borne bacteria. Calves should be vaccinated around 4 months of age, and typically given a second vaccination three weeks later. Follow label directions for your vaccine.
When vaccinating your cattle, always take time to record the serial number, expiration date and the lot number of each bottle of vaccine. This information will allow you to know what you used and if problems arise you will have a leg to stand on when investigating the problem.
This is Damon Pollard, Livestock Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Burke Center. If you would like more information about vaccinating your cattle, please call us at 439-4460.
