When it comes to raising healthy dairy calves, protecting them from bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is essential for their growth and long-term profitability. Dr. Linda Tikofsky, a professional services veterinarian with Boehringer-Ingelheim, talks about the importance of creating a plan to protect calves from BRD.
“BRD is one of the most common syndromes or diseases that present to young dairy heifers. It accounts for probably about 24 to 25 percent of deaths of pre-weaned heifer calves, and then almost 60 percent of weaned heifer calves. So, it has implications both in your heifer group that you’re raising to be your replacements, as well as some of the efficiencies of those heifers that survive the disease. From an economic standpoint, it can be very detrimental to that dairy.”
Colostrum is a vital part of the battle against BRD.
“Colostrum is the most important thing we can do with calves in the first 24 hours of life. Calves, or ruminants, are born with an immune system that is not fully functional. They are born essentially naive to many of the diseases that are out there. They have no antibody protection, so by delivering sufficient amounts of good quality colostrum in the first 12 hours of life, we’re going to provide passive antibodies to those calves to help protect them through the first few months of life. So, without that, they are much more likely to succumb to infectious diseases.”
She offers tips on vaccination and attaining a strong immune system.
“One, we want to ensure or build their immunity with colostrum and also with a strong vaccination program. I encourage my producers to work with their veterinarians to design a vaccine program that addresses the risks in their particular area or on their particular operation. We also want to think about our management practices. How can we build up that calf’s own immunity through nutrition and reduction of stress so that they are less susceptible if we do have pathogens introduced? And then, we want to make sure that we are identifying diseases early, and then managing those infections to prevent long-term damage. As colostrum wanes, we want to make sure that we are building that calf’s own immunity through strategic vaccination by choosing vaccines that will stimulate immunity in the face of maternal antibodies.”
It’s also important to do vaccinations at times of low stress for the animals. Make sure to work with your veterinarian to set up a solid vaccination program.
“Look for a vaccine that can stimulate immunity early on. Certain vaccines can begin having that calf respond as early as 30 days of age, so we know as that colostral immunity wanes, we can be stimulating that calf’s own immunity. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on those vaccines. Many of the ones we use in calves are modified live, so they require certain storage parameters, certain handling parameters, and timeliness of administration.”