Weaning/Vaccinations

[osj_99_25]

When is the best time for weaning calves and when is the best time for their vaccines? Also which vaccines are recommended/needed? I live in south Texas.

 

[cbcr]

Vaccinations and herd health are important, here are couple of links that both offer some good advise and information.

http://beefmagazine.com/cowcalfweekly/0701-evidence-favor-early-calf-vaccination

http://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/fsa-3009.pdf

What is very important is making sure the cowherd is vaccinated properly prior to calving which in turn will offer some protection to the newborn calves thru the colostrum.

Read these two links. Also if you are going to be selling any calves at a market, check with those markets to see what they recommend for vaccinations, which if those protocol's are followed can offer a value-added return on the investment.

Also depending on your environment, weather conditions, etc., can vary when to wean. If it is hot, dry and forage for the cows is is not plentiful and poorer quality, earlier weaning (at around 4 to 5 months of age) would be good. It will be easier for the cows to maintain condition and the calves will grow fine as well with good care. If forage is good and is plentiful, then many producers will let the calves run with the cows to around 7 months of age.

Vaccinations on the calves should be done 2 to 3 weeks prior to weaning.

 

[Jessica06]

Your vet will be able to tell you specifically which diseases to vaccinate for that are out of the ordinary, but in general, you should be giving them at least some kind of 8 way blackleg vaccine (ie. Vision 8, etc...). If you are just shipping all of your calves at weaning, that's probably all I would give them. We work our calves all at one time, when they are between 0-3 months old, usually. That's when we vaccinate. Others do it later, which is perfectly fine; some may say better and I wouldn't argue, but that's the easiest time for us. We calve in a 90-100 day season and wean when the youngest calves are about 4 months. The only other thing I might add is a tetanus antitoxin if you band your calves. We haven't in several years, but with calf prices so high we will probably add it back in next year.

 

[osj_99_25]

Thanks for the help.

 

[Gleedaniel13]

]It would be helpful if the opening time and dates of both Sporting Clays and 5 Stand were published here on the website and on the bulletin board by the cash offices. If and when the venue is closed or changed should be posted a minimum of one week before the date on the front bulletin board

The advices of the medical practitioner here are very helpful for users here.