Title: Calfhood Vaccinations
Headings: Calfhood Vaccinations
Calfhood Vaccinations
by Heather Thomas

Content: "Vaccination at some point during the first 3 months of life can be extremely beneficial and can reduce problems at weaning time," Alley says. The earlier vaccination can set them up, and the weaning vaccination acts like a booster. "Many producers don't give clostridial vaccines to calves until they are at least 3 to 4 months of age, and then we try to make sure they get a booster after that. If a herd has a history of problems in young calves, we recommend clostridial vaccines be given soon after birth," Alley says. "We try to convince producers about the benefit of vaccinating while calves are still on the cow. The calves are not as stressed and build better immunity. If producers don't do early vaccinations, we recommend they vaccinate calves two to four weeks prior to the date of weaning, with the viral and clostridial vaccines. They may not need pasteurella or pinkeye, depending on the risk factors for that herd or farm. Then the calves get boosters at the day of weaning," he says. [Click here to go to the top of the page.]