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Agriculture and Natural Resource

FSA3009

Livestock Health Series

Beef Cattle Herd Health

Vaccination ScheduleJeremy PowellAssociate Professor Veterinarian

Steven JonesAssociate Professor -Livestock

Shane GadberryAssistant Professor -Nutrition

Tom TroxelProfessor Beef Cattle

Table 2. Vaccination Schedule: Cows and Bulls

Arkansas IsOur Campus

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Introduction

A herd health management plan isvital to profitable beef production.Some producers, however, do not

vaccinate until they experience a loss.The investment in disease preventionis less than the cost of disease treat-ment. Dont wait until a disease out-

break occurs before implementing asound herd health program. For cattleto reach their performance potential,they must be healthy.

Many animal health problems canbe controlled with good management,proper nutrition and vaccinationagainst infectious diseases. Beef cattle

vaccination programs vary, dependingupon the type of operation and areaof Arkansas. The purpose of this fact

sheet is to provide the cattle producerwith a basic herd health vaccinationprogram. It is important to contactyour veterinarian to determine ifadditional vaccinations are requiredfor your area.

Table 1. Cattle Vital Statistics

Rectal Temperature 101.5 degrees F(38.5 degrees C)

Heart Rate 60 to 70Beats/Minute

Respiratory Rate 30 breaths/minute

Estrous Cycle 18 to 23 days

Estrus 12 to 18 hours

Gestation Length 285 days

Vaccine

IBR Recommended Annual (killed or intranasal)

BVD Recommended Annual

PI3 Recommended Annual

BRSV Recommended Annual

Leptospirosis (5Way) Recommended Annual (every 3 to 6 months in some areas)

Vibriosis Recommended Annual (30 to 60 days before breeding)Trichomoniasis Optional Annual (30 to 60 days before breeding)

Pinkeye Optional As needed

Blackleg 7Way Optional Annual

Anthrax Optional As directed

University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating

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7/30/2019 Beef Cattle Vax Protocol

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Table 3. Vaccination Schedule: Calves*

Vaccine

Blackleg 7Way Recommended Preweaning

IBRBVDPI3 Recommended Preweaning

Leptospirosis Recommended Preweaning

Brucellosis Recommended Heifers (4 to12 months)

BRSV Optional As needed

Pasteurella Optional Preweaning

Haemophilus somnus Optional Preweaning

Pinkeye Optional As needed

E. coli Optional Vaccinate cows (twice 30 days before calving)

Anthrax Optional As directed

Anaplasmosis Optional As directed

*Do not use modifiedlive products on calves that are still nursing cows.

Table 4. Vaccination Schedule: Heifers

Vaccine

Brucellosis Calfhood (4 to 12 months)

IBR Before breeding

BVDPI3 Before breeding

BRSV Before breeding

Vibriosis Before breeding

Leptospirosis Before breeding

Blackleg 7Way Before breeding

Anthrax Optional as directed

Anaplasmosis Optional as directed

Conclusion

Vaccination programs should always be customizedfor your operation. Items to consider while establishinga vaccination program include geographic region, typeof cattle operation, frequency of introducing new stock,postvaccination problems and export or interstateshipping requirements.

For best results, always follow the manufacturersrecommendations for dosage, method of administration,

number of times given and proper storage.

Preventing diseases through the use of a herdhealth management plan saves time and money. Forbest results, work with a veterinarian who is familiarwith your beef cattle operation. Justifying the cost ofpreventive management is sometimes difficult. Theannual cost of a vaccine health program ranges from$3 to $10 per cowcalf unit. Experiencing a healthdisaster certainly drives home the point that an ounceof prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.

JEREMY POWELL, DVM, associate professor veterinarian, is located Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 andin Fayetteville. STEVEN JONES, associate professor livestock, June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,DR. SHANE GADBERRY, assistant professor nutrition, and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. TheDR. TOM TROXEL, professor beef cattle, are located in Little Rock. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligiThey are employees of the Department of Animal Science, University of ble persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender,Arkansas Division of Agriculture. age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected

FSA3009PD110RV status and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.